Multifunction adaptive whole house fan system

ABSTRACT

A multifunction adaptive whole house fan system can include a whole house fan to pull large volume of air through a building structure. The whole house fan can pull air from a motorized window or damper into the building structure and expel air through an attic. The system can monitor the environment to operate the whole house fan when desired conditions are present in coordination with other systems of the building structure to reduce overall energy consumption.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57 and made apart of this specification. This application is related to InternationalApplication PCT/US2020/061092, filed Nov. 18, 2020, the entirety ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference and made a part of thisspecification.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to multifunction adaptive whole house fansystems for building structures.

Description of the Related Art

Heating and cooling the space in residential and commercial buildingsaccounts for a primary share of building energy consumption. Occupantsor persons otherwise associated with building heating and cooling mayeither not know when it is optimum to use a heating and cooling systemor otherwise not properly utilize the heating and cooling system. Whenone desires to have the whole house fan on, one opens one or morewindows and manually turns on the switch. In order for whole house fanto work properly, at least one window needs to be open so as to allowthe fan to pull sufficient outside air in to cool the dwelling.

SUMMARY

When the outside ambient air temperature is lower than the internal airtemperature, outside ambient air can instead be used to effectively coolthe home or building structure, reducing the need to run a costly airconditioning system. Further, air conditioning systems merely circulateair located within a building structure, and do not bring any outsideair, so any harmful environmental elements (e.g. dust, disease,chemicals) may remain within the building structure.

A whole house fan can be used to move air through the building structurewhen desired outside and/or inside conditions allow. Whole house fansinclude one or more high cubic feet per minute (cfm) fans, typicallyplaced in the attic of a building structure, and function by creating anegative static pressure inside of the building structure to draw air infrom the outside. The outside air is moved through the ceiling into theattic where the air is exhausted out through a vent by positive staticpressure in the attic or upper floor. Louvered shutters can be placedover the vent to prevent cooled or heated air from escaping when thewhole house fan is not in use. Whole house fan systems move largeamounts of air and allow for the entire building structure air volume tobe recycled with multiple air exchanges per hour, removing latent heatwithin the building structure. Advantageously, whole house fan systemstypically require less energy than air conditioning systems and canreduce the need for air conditioning, therefore reducing energyconsumption while providing a comfortable space for building occupants.The systems and methods disclosed herein provide a more efficient andcost effective cooling and ventilating of interior spaces of a buildingstructure while improving the indoor or interior air quality.

In some embodiments, a multifunction adaptive whole house fan systemdisclosed herein may use open windows to serve as intake air vents. Insome embodiments, the user may manually open the windows to allow forairflow into the building structure. In some embodiments, themultifunction adaptive whole house fan system disclosed herein maycontrol one or more automated windows to allow for airflow into thebuilding structure. The automated windows can be controlled by thesystem to be automatically opened by the system to drawn in air and beautomatically closed by the system when the whole house fan is shut off.

The automated window can have one or more user control interfaces (e.g.,buttons) for the user to open or close the automated window at thewindow itself (e.g., without system controls input). The automatedwindow can further have security features to help warn when theautomated window is forced open by, for example, activating one or morealarms. For example, the automated window can sense when the window isbeing forced open without user and/or system commands being provided toopen (e.g., a burglar forcing the window open). When the automatedwindow is forced open, the automated window can sound an alarm via anoisemaker of the automated window acting as an alarm system and/ortrigger a general alarm system of the building structure. Further, theautomated window can have a lock mechanism that can be activated by thesystem and/or user at the automated window using one or more usercontroller interface features (e.g., buttons) on the automated window tolock, close, engage, and/or secure the window in a desired or certainposition and inhibit the automated window from being forced open.

The multifunction adaptive whole house fan system can control for and/ornotify a user when a whole house fan may not be effective at cooling thebuilding structure such as, for example, when the outside temperature ishigher than the inside temperature. The multifunction adaptive wholehouse fan system may also be connected to a thermostat and an airconditioning system to avoid, for example, the air conditioning systemrunning (being activated or operating) while the whole house fan isrunning (activated or operating), mitigating possible energy savings.The air conditioning systems discussed herein can include systems with avapor compression refrigeration cycle.

In some embodiments, the multifunction adaptive whole house fan systemcan determine the temperature of the interior and/or exterior of thebuilding structure and other parameters such as humidity. Themultifunction adaptive whole house fan system can use these inputparameters to control activation of a whole house fan system and/or airconditioning system. The multifunction adaptive whole house fan systemcan be connected to and at least partially control an air conditioningsystem. The fresh air cooling and ventilating system can be connected toan automated or automatic window system. The multifunction adaptivewhole house fan system can control one or more automated window(s) toautomatically open or close window(s) to, for example, serve as intakeair vent(s) for the whole house fan system.

The multifunction adaptive whole house fan system can include one ormore controller(s) that provides for automatic and/or manual control ofcertain parts of the system. The controller(s) can operate in variousmodes ranging from automatic operation of the system to substantiallymanual operation of the system. For example, in an automatic mode, thecontroller(s) can collect a variety of information from climatecondition system(s) such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors, airquality sensors (such as for example sensors for detecting volatileorganic compound (VOC) gases, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, smoke,particulates, and/or pollen), weather information, and/or otherinformation via a variety of input sources, including sensors and theinternet. The controller(s) can determine when conditions permit foroperation of the whole house fan system or the air conditioning system.For example, the multifunction adaptive whole house fan system can turnoff the air conditioning system and operate the whole house fan if it iscooler outside than in the interior space of the building structure.Alternatively, if it is hot outside, the multifunction adaptive wholehouse fan system can allow the air conditioning system to operate. Themultifunction adaptive whole house fan system can also operate the wholehouse fan if there are undesired air pollutants (based on AQI levels)inside the building structure by bringing in fresh air from the outside.

Accordingly, the multifunction adaptive whole house fan system can beoperated in a variety of modes. An automatic mode allows the system tooperate with minimal or no user input after, for example, selection ofthe automatic mode. The multifunction adaptive whole house fan systemcan be operated in a semi-automatic mode, which may prompt the user forcertain input before, during, and/or after operation. The multifunctionadaptive whole house fan system can be operated in various selectablemodes ranging from automatic to manual (including semi-automatic)depending on the user input for desired operation and/or devices, suchas automated windows, connected to the fresh air cooling and ventilatingsystem.

The multifunction adaptive whole house fan system can be controlled bythe user utilizing a variety of methods. In some embodiments, one ormore user devices are positioned within the building structure fromwhich the user can control the system. The user device can displayinformation about the fresh air cooling and ventilating system to theuser. In some embodiments, the user can use a smart phone applicationconnected to the multifunction adaptive whole house fan system over theinternet or via a Bluetooth connection to control the fresh air coolingand ventilating system. Similar to the user device, the smart phoneapplication can display information about the fresh air cooling andventilating system to the user.

According to this disclosure, a multifunction adaptive whole house fansystem for use in a building structure having an attic and a livingspace can include one or more of the following: a whole house fanconfigured to be positioned in the attic of the building structure, thewhole house fan having an air flow capacity within a range of 500 to8000 cubic feet per minute, the whole house fan configured to expel anexhaust of the whole house fan into the attic from the living space tocreate a positive static pressure in the attic to cause air in the atticto be pushed out through one or more vents in the attic and inhibitoutside air from being drawn into the attic through the one or morevents; an air intake comprising an air register, the air intakeconfigured to be positioned in a wall separating the attic and theliving space of the building structure; a duct having a first end and asecond end, the first end configured to be attached to the whole housefan, the second end configured to be attached to the air intake, theduct being flexible between the first end and the second end; amotorized window configured to be positioned in a wall separating theliving space from ambient environment of the building structure, themotorized window configured to automatically open to permit ambient airto enter the living space and to automatically close to inhibit ambientair from entering the living space, the motorized window comprising lockcontrol to inhibit the motorized window from being forced open; a freshair controller configured to receive data associated with an outsidetemperature value corresponding to ambient temperature around thebuilding structure and an inside temperature value corresponding totemperature inside the living space, the fresh air controller configuredto be in communication with and control operation of the whole house fanand the motorized window, the fresh air controller configured to be incommunication with a thermostat controller, the thermostat controllerconfigured to control operation of an air conditioning system of thebuilding structure, the air conditioning system configured to maintain adesired temperature inside the living space, the fresh air controllerconfigured to: compare the outside temperature value to the insidetemperature value; based on a comparison being that the outsidetemperature value is less than the inside temperature value: send acease operation command to the thermostat controller for the thermostatcontroller to suspend operation of the air conditioning system; causethe motorized window to open to permit ambient air to enter the livingspace; cause the whole house fan to operate to draw air into the atticfrom the living space through the air register via the duct and to drawambient air into the living space through the motorized window as theair is drawn into the attic from the living space; based on a comparisonbeing that the outside temperature value is greater than the insidetemperature value: cause the whole house fan to suspend operation; causethe motorized window to close to inhibit ambient air from entering theliving space; and/or send a resume or continue operation command to thethermostat controller for the thermostat controller to resume orcontinue operation of the air conditioning system.

According to this disclosure, the multifunction adaptive whole house fansystem can further include one or more of the following: a ventilationfan configured to be positioned in the attic of the building structure,the ventilation fan configured to be positioned proximate to a vent ofthe one or more vents, the ventilation fan configured to draw air fromthe attic through the vent to facilitate the whole house fan pushing airfrom the attic through the one or more vents; wherein the fresh aircontroller is configured to cause the ventilation fan to operate withthe whole house fan being operated; a ventilation fan controllerconfigured to cause operation of the ventilation fan, the fresh aircontroller configured to be in communication with the ventilation fancontroller, the fresh air controller configured to send a ventilationcommand to the ventilation fan controller to cause the ventilation fanto operate; wherein the ventilation fan controller is in wiredcommunication with the ventilation fan, and wherein the ventilation fancontroller is configured to wirelessly communicate with the fresh aircontroller; a whole house fan controller configured to cause operationof the whole house fan, the fresh air controller configured to be incommunication with the whole house fan controller, the fresh aircontroller configured to send an operate command to the whole house fancontroller to cause the whole house fan to operate based on thecomparison of the outside temperature value to the inside temperaturevalue; wherein the whole house fan controller is in wired communicationwith the whole house fan, and wherein the whole house fan controller isconfigured to be in wired communication with the fresh air controller; auser device configured to be positioned in the living space, the userdevice comprising the fresh air controller; wherein the user devicecomprises a temperature sensor configured to send a temperature signalcorresponding to the inside temperature value, the fresh air controllerconfigured to receive the temperature signal to determine the insidetemperature value; wherein the fresh air controller is configured toreceive data associated with the outside temperature value via theinternet; wherein the fresh air controller is configured to wirelesslycommunicate with the thermostat controller; wherein the fresh aircontroller is configured to adjust speed of the whole house fan based onthe inside temperature value, the fresh air controller configured to:compare the inside temperature value to a first predeterminedtemperature, a second predetermined temperature, and a thirdpredetermined temperature, wherein the first predetermined temperatureis less than the second predetermined temperature, and the secondpredetermined temperature is less the third predetermined temperature;based on a comparison being that the inside temperature value is betweenthe first predetermined temperature and the second predeterminedtemperature, cause the whole house fan to operate at a first speed;based on a comparison being that the inside temperature value is betweenthe second predetermined temperature and the third predeterminedtemperature, cause the whole house fan to operate at a second speed, thesecond speed being greater than the first speed; based on a comparisonbeing that the inside temperature value is greater than the thirdpredetermined temperature, cause the whole house fan to operate at athird speed, the third speed being greater than the second speed;wherein the fresh air controller is configured, based on a comparisonbeing that the inside temperature value is less than the firstpredetermined temperature, to: cause the whole house fan to suspendoperation; cause the motorized window to close to inhibit ambient airfrom entering the living space; wherein the fresh air controller isconfigured to receive data associated with an attic temperature valuecorresponding to temperature inside the attic, the fresh air controllerconfigured to: compare the attic temperature value to a predeterminedattic temperature; based on a comparison being that the attictemperature value is greater than the predetermined attic temperature,cause the whole house fan to suspend operation and the motorized windowto close to inhibit ambient air from entering the living space; an attictemperature sensor configured to send a temperature signal correspondingto the attic temperature value, the fresh air controller configured toreceive the temperature signal to determine the attic temperature value;wherein the fresh air controller is configured to retrieve a previousoutside temperature value corresponding to ambient temperature aroundthe building structure from a predetermined previous time period, thefresh air controller configured to: compare the outside temperaturevalue to the previous outside temperature value; based on a comparisonbeing of the outside temperature value is greater than the previousoutside temperature value by a predetermined value, cause the wholehouse fan to suspend operation and the motorized window to close toinhibit ambient air from entering the living space; and/or wherein thefresh air controller is configured to receive a window signal indicatingwhether the motorized window is open or closed, and wherein the freshair controller is configured to cause the whole house fan to suspendoperation based on the window signal indicating that the motorizedwindow is closed.

According to this disclosure, a multifunction adaptive whole house fansystem for use in a building structure having an attic and an interiorspace can include one or more of the following: a whole house fanconfigured to be positioned in the attic of the building structure, thewhole house fan having an air flow capacity within a range of 500 to8000 cubic feet per minute, the whole house fan configured to expel anexhaust of the whole house fan into the attic from the interior space tocreate a positive static pressure in the attic to cause air in the atticto be pushed out through one or more vents in the attic and inhibitoutside air from being drawn into the attic through the one or morevents; a motorized window configured to be positioned between theinterior space and ambient environment of the building structure, themotorized window configured to automatically open to permit ambient airto enter the interior space and to automatically close to inhibitambient air from entering the interior space; a fresh air controllerconfigured to receive data associated with an outside temperature valuecorresponding to ambient temperature around the building structure andan inside temperature value corresponding to temperature in the interiorspace, the fresh air controller configured to control operation of thewhole house fan and the motorized window, the fresh air controllerconfigured to be in communication with a thermostat controller, thethermostat controller configured to control operation of an airconditioning system of the building structure, the air conditioningsystem configured to maintain a desired temperature inside the interiorspace, the fresh air controller configured to: compare the outsidetemperature value to the inside temperature value; based on a comparisonbeing that the outside temperature value is less than the insidetemperature value: send a cease operation command to the thermostatcontroller for the thermostat controller to suspend operation of the airconditioning system; cause the motorized window to open to permitambient air to enter the interior space; cause the whole house fan tooperate to draw air into the attic from the interior space and to drawambient air into the interior space through the motorized window as theair is drawn into the attic from the interior space; based on acomparison being that the outside temperature value is greater than theinside temperature value: cause the whole house fan to suspendoperation; cause the motorized window to close to inhibit ambient airfrom entering the interior space; and/or send a resume or continueoperation command to the thermostat controller for the thermostatcontroller to resume or continue operation of the air conditioningsystem.

According to this disclosure, the multifunction adaptive whole house fansystem can further include one or more of the following: an air intakecomprising an air register, the air intake configured to be positionedin a wall separating the attic and the interior space of the buildingstructure; duct having a first end and a second end, the first endconfigured to be attached to the whole house fan, the second endconfigured to be attached to the air intake, the duct being flexiblebetween the first end and the second end; a ventilation fan configuredto be positioned in the attic of the building structure, the ventilationfan configured to be positioned proximate to a vent of the one or morevents, the ventilation fan configured to draw air from the attic throughthe vent to facilitate the whole house fan pushing air from the atticthrough the one or more vents; wherein the fresh air controller isconfigured to cause the ventilation fan to operate with the whole housefan being operated; a ventilation fan controller configured to causeoperation of the ventilation fan, the fresh air controller configured tobe in communication with the ventilation fan controller, the fresh aircontroller configured to send a ventilation command to the ventilationfan controller to cause the ventilation fan to operate; wherein theventilation fan controller is in wired communication with theventilation fan, and wherein the ventilation fan controller isconfigured to wirelessly communicate with the fresh air controller; awhole house fan controller configured to cause operation of the wholehouse fan, the fresh air controller configured to be in communicationwith the whole house fan controller, the fresh air controller configuredto send an operate command to the whole house fan controller to causethe whole house fan to operate based on the comparison of the outsidetemperature value to the inside temperature value; wherein the wholehouse fan controller is in wired communication with the whole house fan,and wherein the whole house fan controller is configured to be in wiredcommunication with the fresh air controller; a user device configured tobe positioned in the interior space, the user device comprising thefresh air controller; wherein the user device comprises a temperaturesensor configured to send a temperature signal corresponding to theinside temperature value, the fresh air controller configured to receivethe temperature signal to determine the inside temperature value;wherein the fresh air controller is configured to receive dataassociated with the outside temperature value via the internet; whereinthe fresh air controller is configured to wirelessly communicate withthe thermostat controller; wherein the fresh air controller isconfigured to adjust speed of the whole house fan based on the insidetemperature value, the fresh air controller configured to: compare theinside temperature value to a first predetermined temperature, a secondpredetermined temperature, and a third predetermined temperature,wherein the first predetermined temperature is less than the secondpredetermined temperature, and the second predetermined temperature isless the third predetermined temperature; based on a comparison beingthat the inside temperature value is between the first predeterminedtemperature and the second predetermined temperature, cause the wholehouse fan to operate at a first speed; based on a comparison being thatthe inside temperature value is between the second predeterminedtemperature and the third predetermined temperature, cause the wholehouse fan to operate at a second speed, the second speed being greaterthan the first speed; based on a comparison being that the insidetemperature value is greater than the third predetermined temperature,cause the whole house fan to operate at a third speed, the third speedbeing greater than the second speed; wherein the fresh air controller isconfigured, based on a comparison being that the inside temperaturevalue is less than the first predetermined temperature, to: cause thewhole house fan to suspend operation; cause the motorized window toclose to inhibit ambient air from entering the interior space; whereinthe fresh air controller is configured to receive data associated withan attic temperature value corresponding to temperature inside theattic, the fresh air controller configured to: compare the attictemperature value to a predetermined attic temperature; based on acomparison being that the attic temperature value is greater than thepredetermined attic temperature, cause the whole house fan to suspendoperation and the motorized window to close to inhibit ambient air fromentering the interior space; and an attic temperature sensor configuredto send a temperature signal corresponding to the attic temperaturevalue, the fresh air controller configured to receive the temperaturesignal to determine the attic temperature value; wherein the fresh aircontroller is configured to retrieve a previous outside temperaturevalue corresponding to ambient temperature around the building structurefrom a predetermined previous time period, the fresh air controllerconfigured to: compare the outside temperature value to the previousoutside temperature value; based on a comparison being of the outsidetemperature value is greater than the previous outside temperature valueby a predetermined value, cause the whole house fan to suspend operationand the motorized window to close to inhibit ambient air from enteringthe interior space; and/or wherein the fresh air controller isconfigured to receive a window signal indicating whether the motorizedwindow is open or closed, and wherein the fresh air controller isconfigured to cause the whole house fan to suspend operation based onthe window signal indicating that the motorized window is closed.

According to this disclosure, a multifunction whole house fan system foruse in a building structure having an attic and an interior space caninclude one or more of the following: a whole house fan configured to bepositioned in the attic of the building structure, the whole house fanhaving an air flow capacity within a range of 500 to 8000 cubic feet perminute, the whole house fan configured to expel an exhaust of the wholehouse fan into the attic from the interior space to create a positivestatic pressure in the attic to cause air in the attic to be pushed outthrough one or more vents in the attic and inhibit outside air frombeing drawn into the attic through the one or more vents; a motorizedwindow configured to be positioned at the interior space, the motorizedwindow configured to automatically open to permit ambient air to enterthe interior space and to automatically close to inhibit ambient airfrom entering the interior space; a fresh air controller configured toreceive data associated with an outside temperature value correspondingto ambient temperature around the building structure and an insidetemperature value corresponding to temperature in the interior space,the fresh air controller configured to control operation of the wholehouse fan and the motorized window, the fresh air controller configuredto: compare the outside temperature value to the inside temperaturevalue; based on a comparison being that the outside temperature value isless than the inside temperature value: cause the motorized window toopen to permit ambient air to enter the interior space; cause the wholehouse fan to operate to draw air into the attic from the interior spaceand to draw ambient air into the interior space through the motorizedwindow as the air is drawn into the attic from the interior space; basedon a comparison being that the outside temperature value is greater thanthe inside temperature value: cause the whole house fan to suspendoperation; and/or cause the motorized window to close to inhibit ambientair from entering the interior space.

According to this disclosure, the multifunction whole house fan systemcan further include one or more of the following: wherein the fresh aircontroller is configured to be in communication with a thermostatcontroller, the thermostat controller configured to control operation ofan air conditioning system of the building structure, the airconditioning system configured to maintain a desired temperature insidethe interior space; wherein, based on the comparison being that theoutside temperature value is less than the inside temperature value, thefresh air controller is configured to send a cease operation command tothe thermostat controller for the thermostat controller to suspendoperation of the air conditioning system; wherein, based on a comparisonbeing that the outside temperature value is greater than the insidetemperature value, the fresh air controller is configured to send aresume or continue operation command to the thermostat controller forthe thermostat controller to resume or continue operation of the airconditioning system; wherein the fresh air controller is configured towirelessly communicate with the thermostat controller; an air intakecomprising an air register, the air intake configured to be positionedin a wall separating the attic and the interior space of the buildingstructure; a duct having a first end and a second end, the first endconfigured to be attached to the whole house fan, the second endconfigured to be attached to the air intake, the duct being flexiblebetween the first end and the second end; a ventilation fan configuredto be positioned in the attic of the building structure, the ventilationfan configured to be positioned proximate to a vent of the one or morevents, the ventilation fan configured to draw air from the attic throughthe vent to facilitate the whole house fan pushing air from the atticthrough the one or more vents; wherein the fresh air controller isconfigured to cause the ventilation fan to operate with the whole housefan being operated; a ventilation fan controller configured to causeoperation of the ventilation fan, the fresh air controller configured tobe in communication with the ventilation fan controller, the fresh aircontroller configured to send a ventilation command to the ventilationfan controller to cause the ventilation fan to operate; wherein theventilation fan controller is in wired communication with theventilation fan, and wherein the ventilation fan controller isconfigured to wirelessly communicate with the fresh air controller; awhole house fan controller configured to cause operation of the wholehouse fan, the fresh air controller configured to be in communicationwith the whole house fan controller, the fresh air controller configuredto send an operate command to the whole house fan controller to causethe whole house fan to operate based on the comparison of the outsidetemperature value to the inside temperature value; wherein the wholehouse fan controller is in wired communication with the whole house fan,and wherein the whole house fan controller is configured to be in wiredcommunication with the fresh air controller; a user device configured tobe positioned in the interior space, the user device comprising thefresh air controller; wherein the user device comprises a temperaturesensor configured to send a temperature signal corresponding to theinside temperature value, the fresh air controller configured to receivethe temperature signal to determine the inside temperature value;wherein the fresh air controller is configured to receive dataassociated with the outside temperature value via the internet; whereinthe fresh air controller is configured to adjust speed of the wholehouse fan based on the inside temperature value, the fresh aircontroller configured to: compare the inside temperature value to afirst predetermined temperature, a second predetermined temperature, anda third predetermined temperature, wherein the first predeterminedtemperature is less than the second predetermined temperature, and thesecond predetermined temperature is less the third predeterminedtemperature; based on a comparison being that the inside temperaturevalue is between the first predetermined temperature and the secondpredetermined temperature, cause the whole house fan to operate at afirst speed; based on a comparison being that the inside temperaturevalue is between the second predetermined temperature and the thirdpredetermined temperature, cause the whole house fan to operate at asecond speed, the second speed being greater than the first speed; basedon a comparison being that the inside temperature value is greater thanthe third predetermined temperature, cause the whole house fan tooperate at a third speed, the third speed being greater than the secondspeed; wherein the fresh air controller is configured, based on acomparison being that the inside temperature value is less than thefirst predetermined temperature, to: cause the whole house fan tosuspend operation; cause the motorized window to close to inhibitambient air from entering the interior space; wherein the fresh aircontroller is configured to receive data associated with an attictemperature value corresponding to temperature inside the attic, thefresh air controller configured to: compare the attic temperature valueto a predetermined attic temperature; based on a comparison being thatthe attic temperature value is greater than the predetermined attictemperature, cause the whole house fan to suspend operation and themotorized window to close to inhibit ambient air from entering theinterior space; an attic temperature sensor configured to send atemperature signal corresponding to the attic temperature value, thefresh air controller configured to receive the temperature signal todetermine the attic temperature value; wherein the fresh air controlleris configured to retrieve a previous outside temperature valuecorresponding to ambient temperature around the building structure froma predetermined previous time period, the fresh air controllerconfigured to: compare the outside temperature value to the previousoutside temperature value; based on a comparison being of the outsidetemperature value is greater than the previous outside temperature valueby a predetermined value, cause the whole house fan to suspend operationand the motorized window to close to inhibit ambient air from enteringthe interior space; and/or wherein the fresh air controller isconfigured to receive a window signal indicating whether the motorizedwindow is open or closed, and wherein the fresh air controller isconfigured to cause the whole house fan to suspend operation based onthe window signal indicating that the motorized window is closed.

According to this disclosure, a multifunction whole house fan system foruse in a building structure having an attic and an interior space caninclude one or more of the following: a whole house fan configured to bepositioned in the attic of the building structure, the whole house fanhaving an air flow capacity within a range of 500 to 8000 cubic feet perminute, the whole house fan configured to expel an exhaust of the wholehouse fan into the attic from the interior space to create a positivestatic pressure in the attic to cause air in the attic to be pushed outthrough one or more vents in the attic and inhibit outside air frombeing drawn into the attic through the one or more vents; a motorizedwindow configured to be positioned at the interior space, the motorizedwindow configured to automatically open to permit ambient air to enterthe interior space and to automatically close to inhibit ambient airfrom entering the interior space; a fresh air controller configured toreceive data associated with an outside temperature value correspondingto ambient temperature around the building structure, the fresh aircontroller configured to retrieve a previous outside temperature valuecorresponding to ambient temperature around the building structure froma predetermined previous time period, the fresh air controllerconfigured to control operation of the whole house fan and the motorizedwindow, the fresh air controller configured to: compare the outsidetemperature value to a predetermined maximum outside temperature value;based on a comparison being that the outside temperature value is lessthan the predetermined outside temperature value: cause the motorizedwindow to open to permit ambient air to enter the interior space; causethe whole house fan to operate to draw air into the attic from theinterior space and to draw ambient air into the interior space throughthe motorized window as the air is drawn into the attic from theinterior space; compare the outside temperature value to the previousoutside temperature value; based on a comparison being that the outsidetemperature value is greater than the previous outside temperature valueby the predetermined value: cause the whole house fan to suspendoperation; and/or cause the motorized window to close to inhibit ambientair from entering the interior space.

According to this disclosure, the multifunction whole house fan systemcan further include one or more of the following: wherein the fresh aircontroller is configured to be in communication with a thermostatcontroller, the thermostat controller configured to control operation ofan air conditioning system of the building structure, and wherein thefresh air controller is configured to: based on the comparison beingthat the outside temperature value is less than the predeterminedmaximum outside temperature value, send a cease operation command to thethermostat controller for the thermostat controller to suspend operationof the air conditioning system; based on the comparison being that theoutside temperature value is greater than the previous outsidetemperature value by the predetermined value, send a resume or continueoperation command to the thermostat controller for the thermostatcontroller to resume or continue operation of the air conditioningsystem; wherein the fresh air controller is configured to adjust speedof the whole house fan based on the outside temperature value, the freshair controller configured to: compare the outside temperature value to afirst predetermined temperature, a second predetermined temperature, anda third predetermined temperature, wherein the first predeterminedtemperature is less than the second predetermined temperature, and thesecond predetermined temperature is less the third predeterminedtemperature; based on a comparison being that the outside temperaturevalue is between the first predetermined temperature and the secondpredetermined temperature, cause the whole house fan to operate at afirst speed; based on a comparison being that the outside temperaturevalue is between the second predetermined temperature and the thirdpredetermined temperature, cause the whole house fan to operate at asecond speed, the second speed being greater than the first speed; basedon a comparison being that the outside temperature value is greater thanthe third predetermined temperature, cause the whole house fan tooperate at a third speed, the third speed being greater than the secondspeed; wherein the fresh air controller is configured, based on acomparison being that the outside temperature value is less than thefirst predetermined temperature, to: cause the whole house fan tosuspend operation; cause the motorized window to close to inhibitambient air from entering the interior space; wherein the fresh aircontroller is configured to receive data associated with an air qualityindex value corresponding to an air quality index of ambient air aroundthe building structure, the fresh air controller configured to: comparethe air quality index value with a predetermined air quality indexvalue; and/or based on a comparison being that the air quality indexvalue is greater than the predetermined air quality index value, causethe whole house fan to suspend operation.

According to this disclosure, a multifunction whole house fan system foruse in a building structure having an attic and an interior space caninclude one or more of the following: a whole house fan configured to bepositioned in the attic of the building structure, the whole house fanhaving an air flow capacity within a range of 500 to 8000 cubic feet perminute, the whole house fan configured to expel an exhaust of the wholehouse fan into the attic from the interior space to create a positivestatic pressure in the attic to cause air in the attic to be pushed outthrough one or more vents in the attic and inhibit outside air frombeing drawn into the attic through the one or more vents; a motorizedwindow configured to be positioned at the interior space, the motorizedwindow configured to automatically open to permit ambient air to enterthe interior space and to automatically close to inhibit ambient airfrom entering the interior space; a fresh air controller configured toreceive data associated with an inside temperature value correspondingto corresponding to temperature in the interior space, the fresh aircontroller configured to retrieve a previous inside temperature valuecorresponding to temperature in the interior space from a predeterminedprevious time period, the fresh air controller configured to controloperation of the whole house fan and the motorized window, the fresh aircontroller configured to: compare the inside temperature value to afirst predetermined inside temperature value; based on a comparisonbeing that the inside temperature value is greater than the firstpredetermined inside temperature value: cause the motorized window toopen to permit ambient air to enter the interior space; cause the wholehouse fan to operate to draw air into the attic from the interior spaceand to draw ambient air into the interior space through the motorizedwindow as the air is drawn into the attic from the interior space;compare the inside temperature value to the previous inside temperaturevalue; based on a comparison being that the inside temperature value isgreater than the previous inside temperature value by a predeterminedvalue: cause the whole house fan to suspend operation; and/or cause themotorized window to close to inhibit ambient air from entering theinterior space.

According to this disclosure, the multifunction whole house fan systemcan further include one or more of the following: wherein the fresh aircontroller is configured to be in communication with a thermostatcontroller, the thermostat controller configured to control operation ofan air conditioning system of the building structure, and wherein thefresh air controller is configured to: based on the comparison beingthat the inside temperature value is greater than the firstpredetermined inside temperature value, send a cease operation commandto the thermostat controller for the thermostat controller to suspendoperation of the air conditioning system; based on the comparison beingthat the inside temperature value is greater than the previous insidetemperature value by the predetermined value, send a resume or continueoperation command to the thermostat controller for the thermostatcontroller to resume or continue operation of the air conditioningsystem; wherein the fresh air controller is configured to adjust speedof the whole house fan based on the inside temperature value, the freshair controller configured to: compare the inside temperature value to afirst predetermined temperature, a second predetermined temperature, anda third predetermined temperature, wherein the first predeterminedtemperature is less than the second predetermined temperature, and thesecond predetermined temperature is less the third predeterminedtemperature; based on a comparison being that the inside temperaturevalue is between the first predetermined temperature and the secondpredetermined temperature, cause the whole house fan to operate at afirst speed; based on a comparison being that the inside temperaturevalue is between the second predetermined temperature and the thirdpredetermined temperature, cause the whole house fan to operate at asecond speed, the second speed being greater than the first speed; basedon a comparison being that the inside temperature value is greater thanthe third predetermined temperature, cause the whole house fan tooperate at a third speed, the third speed being greater than the secondspeed; wherein the fresh air controller is configured, based on acomparison being that the inside temperature value is less than thefirst predetermined temperature, to: cause the whole house fan tosuspend operation; cause the motorized window to close to inhibitambient air from entering the interior space; wherein the fresh aircontroller is configured to receive data associated with an air qualityindex value corresponding to an air quality index of ambient air aroundthe building structure, the fresh air controller configured to: comparethe air quality index value with a predetermined air quality indexvalue; and/or based on a comparison being that the air quality indexvalue is greater than the predetermined air quality index value, causethe whole house fan to suspend operation.

According to this disclosure, a multifunction whole house fan system foruse in a building structure having an attic and an interior space caninclude one or more of the following: a whole house fan configured to bepositioned in the attic of the building structure, the whole house fanhaving an air flow capacity within a range of 500 to 8000 cubic feet perminute, the whole house fan configured to expel an exhaust of the wholehouse fan into the attic from the interior space to create a positivestatic pressure in the attic to cause air in the attic to be pushed outthrough one or more vents in the attic and inhibit outside air frombeing drawn into the attic through the one or more vents; a motorizedwindow configured to be positioned at the interior space, the motorizedwindow configured to automatically open to permit ambient air to enterthe interior space and to automatically close to inhibit ambient airfrom entering the interior space; a fresh air controller configured tocontrol operation of the whole house fan and the motorized window, thefresh air controller configured to: receive an activate input command;based on receiving the activate input command: cause the motorizedwindow to open to permit ambient air to enter the interior space; causethe whole house fan to operate; receive a deactivate input command;based on receiving the deactivate input command: cause the whole housefan to cease operation; and/or cause the motorized window to close toinhibit ambient air from entering the interior space.

According to this disclosure, the multifunction whole house fan systemcan further include one or more of the following: wherein the activateinput command includes a predetermined operate time period, wherein thefresh air controller is configured to cause the whole house fan to ceaseoperation and the motorized window to close after the predeterminedoperate time period has passed.

According to this disclosure, the fresh air controller and thethermostat controller can be included in a same control unit that isconfigured to control the multifunction whole house fan system. Thefresh air controller can include the thermostat controller.

Methods of using the system(s) (including device(s), apparatus(es),assembly(ies), structure(s), and/or the like) disclosed herein areincluded; the methods of use can include using or assembling any one ormore of the features disclosed herein to achieve functions and/orfeatures of the system(s) as discussed in this disclosure. Methods ofmanufacturing the system(s) disclosed herein are included; the methodsof manufacture can include providing, making, connecting, assembling,and/or installing any one or more of the features of the system(s)disclosed herein to achieve functions and/or features of the system(s)as discussed in this disclosure.

The Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of any subject matter described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial sectional view of a building structureshowing an embodiment of a multifunction adaptive whole house fansystem.

FIGS. 2A and 2B is an illustration of an embodiment showing a motorizedwindow.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment showing differentcomponents of a multifunction adaptive whole house fan system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment showing differentcomponents of a multifunction adaptive whole house fan system.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are an illustration of an embodiment of a user device of amultifunction adaptive whole house fan system.

FIG. 7 is a control diagram illustrating an embodiment for operating amultifunction adaptive whole house fan system.

FIG. 8 is a control diagram illustrating an embodiment for operating amultifunction adaptive whole house fan system.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are a control diagram illustrating an embodiment foroperating a multifunction adaptive whole house fan system.

FIG. 10 is a control diagram illustrating an embodiment for operating amultifunction adaptive whole house fan system.

FIG. 11 is a control diagram illustrating an embodiment for operating amultifunction adaptive whole house fan system.

FIG. 12 is a control diagram illustrating an embodiment for operating apush notification or prompt system as part of a multifunction adaptivewhole house fan system.

FIG. 13 is a control diagram illustrating an embodiment for operating apowering venting system as part of a multifunction adaptive whole housefan system.

FIG. 14 is a control diagram illustrating an embodiment for operating amultifunction adaptive whole house fan system.

FIG. 15 is a control diagram illustrating an embodiment for operating amultifunction adaptive whole house fan system.

FIG. 16 is a control diagram illustrating an embodiment for operating amultifunction adaptive whole house fan system.

FIG. 17 is a control diagram illustrating an embodiment for operating amultifunction adaptive whole house fan system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a multifunctionadaptive whole house fan system (e.g., fresh air cooling and ventilatingfresh air cooling, fresh air ventilating, or fresh air system). Thefresh air cooling and ventilating system can include a motorized wholehouse fan, a vent system, motorized automatic window(s), user device(s),connection(s) to thermostat(s) or other devices that control an airconditioning system, and/or controller(s) that control the fresh aircooling and ventilating system and/or air conditions system. The use ofa multifunction adaptive whole house fan system in a building structurepresents several advantages over the use of a traditional airconditioning system, including decreased energy usage and greatercirculation of fresh ambient air, thereby reducing the amount of dustand contaminated air in the building structure.

In some embodiments, the multifunction adaptive whole house fan systemcan include motorized automatic window(s) (automatic window(s)), thatcan be connected to the one or more controllers. The one or morecontrollers can open and close the motorized automatic windows when thefresh air controller detects desired or predetermined conditionsdiscussed herein. Automated window(s) can help increase utilization andease of use of the fresh air cooling and ventilating system. Forexample, in order to run the whole house fan, a user may not need tomanually open windows to allow for fresh air to be drawn into thebuilding structure.

The one or more controllers can include a fresh air controller that canbe connected to a whole house fan controller (motorized fan controller),which operates the whole house fan. The fresh air controller can also beconnected to a thermostat controller of a thermostat. The thermostatcontroller can control an air conditioning system that can maintain adesired temperature inside the living/interior space of the buildingstructure. In some embodiments, the fresh air controller and allassociated controls, algorithms, and/or modes of the fresh air system asdiscussed herein can be incorporated into the thermostat as a separatecontroller in the thermostat or as thermostat controller itself.Accordingly, the controls, algorithms, and/or modes that are part ofand/or executed by the fresh air controller can be part of and/orexecuted by the thermostat controller. For example, the controls,algorithms, and/or modes of the fresh air controller discussed hereincan be part of the thermostat controller in new home/buildinginstallations, and/or an existing thermostat controller can be updatedand/or upgraded with the controls, algorithms, and/or modes of the freshair controller as discussed herein.

Coordination between utilization of the whole house fan system and theair conditioning system can mitigate running the whole house fan systemwhen conditions are better for running an air conditioning system (forexample, the outside temperature is hotter than the inside temperature)or running the air conditioning system when conditions are better forrunning the whole house fan system (for example, the inside temperatureis hotter than the outside temperature). The fresh air controller canreceive information via a connection to the internet in addition toreceiving input from climate condition system(s) including temperatureand other kinds of sensors both inside and outside of a buildingstructure. In some embodiments, the fresh air controller can beconnected to a ventilation fan, which can be positioned in the atticarea of the building structure. The ventilation fan can help draw theexhaust of the whole house fan from the attic.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller can receive dataassociated with an outside temperature value corresponding to ambienttemperature around the building structure and an inside temperaturevalue corresponding to temperature inside the living space. The freshair controller can receive temperature data via temperature sensorsconnected to the fresh air controller. The temperature sensors can belocated in and around the building structure, including in the atticspace, the living/interior space, and the ambient environment outsidethe building structure. In some embodiments, one or more temperaturesensors maybe part of and/or positioned in a user device. In someembodiments, the fresh air controller can receive temperature datacorresponding to an outside temperature value from an online source viaa connection to the internet. In some embodiments, the fresh aircontroller can receive any temperature data discussed herein via atemperature sensor and/or the internet. The temperature sensors can beconnected via any wired or wireless connection discussed herein.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller can receive a humidityvalue corresponding to the humidity level inside the building structureand/or in the ambient air outside of the building structure. The freshair controller can receive the humidity value either from a humiditysensor in wired or wireless connection with the fresh air controller orfrom an online source via a connection to the internet. The humiditysensor(s) can be located in and around the building structure, includingin the attic space, the living/interior space, and the ambientenvironment outside the building structure. In some embodiments, one ormore humidity sensors maybe part of and/or positioned in a user device.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller can receive an air qualityvalue corresponding to the air quality level inside the buildingstructure and/or in the ambient air outside of the building structure,including information about and/or levels of volatile organic compound(VOC) gases, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, smoke, particulates,and/or pollen. The fresh air controller can receive the air qualityvalue either from an air quality (AQI) sensor in wired or wirelessconnection with the fresh air controller or from an online source via aconnection to the internet. The AQI sensor(s) can be located in andaround the building structure, including in the attic space, theliving/interior space, and the ambient environment outside the buildingstructure. In some embodiments, one or more AQI sensors maybe part ofand/or positioned in a user device. In some embodiments, one or more AQIsensors may standalone devices that are plugged into the electricalsystem or plug of a building structure. For example, carbon dioxide,carbon monoxide, and/or smoke detectors may be plugged into a plug ofthe building structure and connected (e.g., wirelessly) with the freshair controller.

As used herein, humidity is used in its broad and ordinary sense andincludes, for example, a measurement of the concentration of water vaporin the air. A relative humidity or humidity value as used herein fallsbetween 0-100% (percent). High humidity in the interior air of abuilding structure can cause water damage to the interior of a buildingstructure as well occupant discomfort. For these reasons, it can beadvantageous to run the fresh air cooling and ventilating system whenthere ambient air outside the building structure is below a certainlevel of humidity.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller can receive an air qualityindex data corresponding to the air quality index value in the ambientair outside of the building structure. As used herein, an air qualityindex is used in its broad and ordinary sense and includes, for example,a value that corresponds to the level of pollution in the air. Forexample, an air quality index can be utilized to convey the level ofrisk a person will encounter by breathing the ambient air. Air qualityindex is usually provided on a scale of 1-1000. Air quality index valuesin a range of 1-50 are considered excellent with no health implications.Air quality index values of 51-100 are considered good with only slighteffects on individuals who are very sensitive to pollutants. Air qualityindex values between 101-150 are considered lightly polluted, andhealthy people may experience slight irritation. Air quality indexvalues between 151-200 are considered moderately polluted, and it isrecommended the general population moderately reduce outside activitywith those more at risk being advised to avoid outdoor activity. Airquality index values between 201-300 are considered heavily polluted,and the general population is advised to reduce outdoor activity. Airquality index values above 300 are considered severe pollution, and itis recommended that the general population should avoid outdooractivity.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller can control the operationof the whole house fan and/or the air condition system based on acomparison between the inside and outside temperature values as well ascomparing other data values including the outside temperature data,inside temperature data, attic temperature data, humidity data, and/orair quality index data.

The fresh air cooling and ventilating system disclosed herein can havethe flexibility to be installed in several different building structureenvironments to provide an energy and cost savings. For example, thefresh air cooling and ventilating system can be installed in a buildingstructure without an air conditioning system, retrofitted to beinstalled in a building structure with an existing air conditioningsystem, or installed as part of a new air conditioning systeminstallation.

Multifunction Adaptive Whole House Fan System Installations

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of amultifunction adaptive whole house fan system (e.g., fresh air coolingand ventilating, fresh air cooling, fresh air ventilating, or fresh airsystem) 100 of the present disclosure. In some aspects, the fresh aircooling and ventilating system 100 can include a motorized fan or wholehouse fan (WHF) 102 mounted in an attic space 104 of a buildingstructure 106. A motorized fan or whole house fan controller 200 cancontrol operation of the motorized WHF 102, as described herein. A userdevice 201 as discussed herein, which can include or house for example afresh air controller, can be mounted on an interior wall anywhere in thebuilding structure 106, as shown. The user device 201 can be connectedto and at least partially control the whole house fan controller 200 asdiscussed herein.

The user device 201 can include the fresh air controller 300 (FIGS. 2and 3) as discussed herein. In some embodiments, the user device 201 canbe a thermostat controlling the air conditioning system of the buildingas discussed herein. In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300can be in or be part of the thermostat controller as discussed herein(for example, as a separate controller in a thermostat device or be partof the thermostat controller itself in the thermostat controlling theair conditioning system). In some embodiments, the fresh air controller300 can comprise the thermostat controller. In some embodiments, thethermostat controller can comprise the fresh air controller 300. In someembodiments, a control unit or device that controls the fresh air system100 and/or building air condition system, such as the user device 201 ora thermostat control unit for controlling the building air conditionsystem, can include the thermostat controller and/or the fresh aircontroller 300, with the thermostat controller and the fresh aircontroller 300 being separate controllers or being provided as a single,same controller in the control unit or device.

FIG. 1 depicts the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100operating to draw air into the building structure 106. The direction ofair flow through the building is shown as flow lines 122 in FIG. 1. Asshown in FIG. 1, the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100 caninclude one or more WHFs 102 that are high-capacity fans that canrapidly draw a large volume of air out of the interior or living space108. Outside air can be drawn into the interior space 108 through openwindows 110 and/or damper 111 of the building structure 106 to replacethe air that is drawn from the interior space 108 by the WHF 102.

As shown in FIG. 1, the building structure 106 can be a two-storybuilding structure depicted with one or more WHFs 102, one or morewindows 110, one or more dampers or air intakes 111, and/or one or moreuser devices 201. However, the type of building structure is notlimiting, and the disclosed system can be used in, for example, a one,two, three, four, or any story residential home, apartment complexes,office buildings, and warehouses. The building structure 106 can be aresidential or commercial building. The building structure 106 can beany other type of structure with an interior space, including storage orshelter structures. Further, different locations and numbers ofcomponents can be used with the automated fresh air cooling andventilating system 100.

The WHF 102 as depicted in FIG. 1 can be mounted in the attic space 104and connected to an air intake 112 in the ceiling or wall separating theattic space 104 from the interior space 108 to create a negative staticpressure in the interior space 108. The air inlet 112 can be a diffuser,a register, or any other similar device. When the air intake 112 is inan open position, the negative static pressure can draw outside air 107into the building structure 106 as the exhaust 124 from the WHF 102 isexpelled into attic of the building structure. Operating the WHF 102 cancreate a positive static air pressure in the attic space 104, which canexpel air 120 out of the building structure 106 to the outside throughvents 114 located in the attic space 104. In some embodiments, the vents114 to the outside can be actuated to open and close to provide thermalinsulation of the attic space 104 from the outside elements. In someembodiments, the vents 114 to the outside can inhibit or mitigateoutside air from entering the building structure 106. In someembodiments, the positive static air pressure generate by the WHF 102and expelled through the vents 114 inhibits outside air from being drawninto the attic space 104.

In some embodiments, the WHF 102 can be mounted in the attic so that itis mechanically isolated from the building structure to dampenvibrations from the fan motor to reduce undesirable noise and vibrationsfrom penetrating the interior space 108 of the building structure 106.In some embodiments, the WHF 102 can be mounted in the attic space 104such that it is recessed from the attic ceiling to provide mechanicalisolation. In some embodiments, the WHF 102 can include shocks, springs,insulation, and/or dashpot dampers to dampen mechanical vibrations fromentering the interior space. In some embodiments, the WHF 102 can bemounted between floors of the building structure 106. The location ofthe WHF 102 is not limiting.

In some embodiments, the WHF 102 can include fan blades actuated by alow RPM motor to move and expel the internal air out of the buildingstructure 106. The air inlet 112 and the WHF 102 can be connected by aflexible, sound insulating duct 116.

In some embodiments, an insulating R value of the duct 116 can bebetween 4-6, and more preferably about 5 so as to reduce latent heatloss through the duct 116. The sound level of the WHF 102 in theinterior space 108 can be between about 42-55 decibels (dBA) and morepreferably about 43, 45, 47, or 52 dBA.

The WHF 102 can include a motor, such as a low revolutions per minute(RPM) motor that spins fan blades to move air as discussed herein. Insome embodiments, the WHF 102 can include a 1 horse power (HP) motorthat can be efficient, with for example a maximum draw of 1300 Watts.The whole house fan controller 200 can communicate with multiple typesof motors. For example, a whole house fan controller 200 can communicatewith both a permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor and an electronicallycommutated motor (ECM).

In some embodiments, the low RPM motor of the WHF 102 can spin atbetween about 800-2000 revolutions per minute (RPM) and more preferablybetween about 1500-1600 RPM and about 1550 RPM. In some embodiments, themotor can spin between about 1000-1300 RPM and preferably about 1050RPM. The air flow capacity of the WHF 102 can be between about 500-8000cubic feet per minute (CFM). In some embodiments, the air flow capacityof the WHF 102 can be about 500-1000 CFM. In some embodiments, the airflow capacity of the WHF 102 can be about 1000-2500 CFM. In someembodiments, the air flow capacity of the WHF 102 can be about 1000-8000CFM. In some embodiments, the air flow capacity of the WHF 102 can beabout 1000-7000 CFM. In some embodiments, the air flow capacity of theWHF 102 can be about 1000-6000 CFM. In some embodiments, the air flowcapacity of the WHF 102 can be about 1000-5000 CFM. In some embodiments,the air flow capacity of the WHF 102 can be about 2000-7000 CFM. In someembodiments, the air flow capacity of the WHF 102 can be about 2000-6000CFM. In some embodiments, the air flow capacity of the WHF 102 can beabout 1527 CFM. In some embodiments, the air flow capacity of the WHF102 can be about 552 CFM. In some embodiments, the air flow capacity ofthe WHF 102 can be about 1104 CFM. In some embodiments, the air flowcapacity of the WHF 102 can be about 2457 CFM. In some embodiments, theair flow capacity of the WHF 102 can be about 2465 CFM. In someembodiments, the air flow capacity of the WHF 102 can be about 3190 CFM.In some embodiments, the air flow capacity of the WHF 102 can be about4712 CFM.

The WHF 102 can include a fan blade housing that encloses or houses themotor and the fan blades. In some embodiments, the diameter of the fanblade housing can be between about 13 to 26 inches and the diameter ofthe duct can be between about 13 to about 26 inches. In someembodiments, the distance between the air intake 112 and the WHF 102 canbe at least about 4 feet, at least about 5 feet, or at least about 6feet. In some embodiments, the diameter of the fan blade housing can belarger than the diameter of the duct 116 so as to create a negativeventuri effect on the airflow in order to reduce wind or airflow noise.

In some embodiments, the windows 110 shown in FIG. 1 can be motorizedautomatic windows that can be automatically opened and closed asdiscussed herein. The windows 110 can be positioned in the exterior wallof the building structure 106 separating the interior space 108 from theambient environment of the building structure 106. When open, the window110 can permit the flow of ambient air 107 into the building structure106 and when closed, can inhibit the flow of ambient air 107 into thebuilding structure 106. Motorized automatic windows can be in connectionwith a fresh air controller 300 (see for example FIGS. 3 and 4) asdiscussed herein. The fresh air controller 300 can control the operationof the motorized automatic windows. In some embodiments, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a command signal to close one or more or all ofthe automatic windows in any of the operating modes or control logicflows discussed herein, including when sending a command signal to turnoff the WHF 102 as discussed herein.

The motorized automatic windows can open fully, close fully, or bepositioned somewhere in between, for example, via a command signal fromthe fresh air controller 300. For example, in some embodiments, themotorized automatic window can open halfway between fully closed andfully open, a quarter way between fully open and fully closed, or threequarters of the way between fully closed and fully open. In someembodiments, the motorized automatic window can open vertically. In someembodiments, the motorized automatic window can open horizontally or bytilting away from its closed position in either the horizontal or thevertical direction or in any other suitable opening and closing motion.

The fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100 shown in FIG. 1 depictsfour windows 110. In some embodiments, the fresh air cooling andventilating system 100 can have 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 15, or more windows 110.Any number of the windows 110 can be motorized automatic windows. Forexample, the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100 can have 1, 2,3, 4, 5, or more motorized automatic windows.

In some embodiments, the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100may use motorized automatic windows in combination with other types ofdevices such as dampers 111 installed on exterior walls of the buildingstructure 106 that provide fluid communication between interior space108 and the ambient environment. In some embodiments, the fresh aircooling and ventilating system 100 may use other types of devices suchas dampers 111 installed on exterior walls of the building structure 106that provide fluid communication between interior space 108 and theambient environment.

In some embodiments, the dampers 111 can use or can have an air filter.In some embodiments, the dampers 111 do not use or do not have an airfilter. In some embodiments, the dampers 111 do not have or do notinclude a motorized fan that draws air into the damper 111 from theenvironment to be directed into the interior space 108.

In some embodiments, the dampers 111 shown in FIG. 1 can be motorizedautomatic dampers that can be automatically opened and closed asdiscussed herein. The dampers 111 can be positioned in the exterior wallof the building structure 106 separating the interior space 108 from theambient environment of the building structure 106. When open, the damper111 can permit the flow of ambient air into the building structure 106and when closed, can inhibit the flow of ambient air into the buildingstructure 106. Motorized automatic dampers can be in connection with afresh air controller 300. The fresh air controller 300 can control theoperation of the motorized automatic dampers. In some embodiments, thefresh air controller 300 can send a command signal to close one or moreor all of the automatic dampers in any of the operating modes or controllogic flows discussed herein, including when sending a command signal toturn off the WHF 102 as discussed herein.

The motorized automatic dampers can open fully, close fully, or bepositioned somewhere in between, for example, via a command signal fromthe fresh air controller 300. For example, in some embodiments, themotorized automatic dampers can open half way between fully closed andfully open, a quarter way between fully open and fully closed, or threequarters of the way between fully closed and fully open.

The fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100 shown in FIG. 1 depictsfour dampers 111. In some embodiments, the fresh air cooling andventilating system 100 can have 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 15, or more dampers111. Any number of the dampers 111 can be motorized automatic dampers.For example, the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100 can have1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more motorized automatic dampers. In some embodiments,one or more of the dampers 111 may be non-motorized and have one or moremovable flaps or leafs that open under creation of negative pressurewithin the interior space 108 as discussed herein (for example, the WHFbeing activated) and that close with gravity, spring mechanisms, orother suitable mechanisms upon the WHF being stopped.

In some embodiments, the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100may use motorized automatic windows in combination with other types ofdevices such as skylights 125 installed on the roof of the buildingstructure 106 that provide fluid communication between interior space108 and the ambient environment. In some embodiments, the fresh aircooling and ventilating system 100 may use other types of devices suchas skylights 125 installed on the roof of the building structure 106that provide fluid communication between interior space 108 and theambient environment.

In some embodiments, skylights can be motorized automatic skylights thatcan be automatically opened and closed as discussed herein. In someembodiments, the motorized automatic skylights can function similar toautomated windows as discussed herein.

In some embodiments, the skylights can be positioned in the roof of thebuilding structure 106 such as in location depicted by vents 114. Thevents 114 depicted in FIG. 1 may represent skylights. The skylights maybe positioned such that the skylights separate the interior space 108from the ambient environment.

In some embodiments, the skylight may be a natural tubular skylight 125that has an air inlet 126 (e.g., a vent) to the ambient environment.When the WHF operates as discussed herein, the skylight, and inparticular the air inlet 126 of the skylight, may function as an openwindow and/or damper as discussed herein to allow ambient air 107 intothe interior space 108. When open, the vent of the skylight can permitthe flow of ambient air 107 into the building structure 106 and whenclosed, can inhibit the flow of ambient air 107 into the buildingstructure 106. The air inlet 126 may be motorized to open and close andfunction similarly to an automated window as discussed herein. When theair inlet 126 is in an open position, the negative static pressure candraw outside air 107 into the building structure 106 as the exhaust 124from the WHF 102 is expelled into attic of the building structure withair being drawn and directed through the air inlet 126, the duct 127,and air outlet 128. Operating the WHF 102 can create a positive staticair pressure in the attic space 104, which can expel air 120 out of thebuilding structure 106 to the outside through vents 114 located in theattic space 104.

The skylight 125 may be mounted in the attic 104 and connected to an airoutlet 128 in the ceiling or wall separating the attic space 104 fromthe interior space 108 to create a negative static pressure in theinterior space 108. The air outlet 128 can be an opening that allowsambient light into the interior space 108. In some embodiments, the airoutlet 128 can be a diffuser, a register, or any other similar device.The skylight 125 can have a duct 127 connecting the air inlet 126 to theair outlet 128. The duct may be a tubular structure or reflecting tubethat reflects and/or directs ambient light into the interior space 108.

In some embodiments, the duct 119 depicted in FIG. 1 may represent thetubular ducting of the skylight. The duct of the skylight may ricochetnatural light into the interior space 108. The duct of the skylight mayfunction as the duct 119 as discussed herein to provide fluid aircommunication between the exterior of the building structure 106 and theinterior space 108 through the attic space 104.

In some embodiments, the skylights 126 may be a window-type skylightinstalled in the roof of the building structure 106. When open, theskylight can permit the flow of ambient air into the building structure106 and when closed, can inhibit the flow of ambient air into thebuilding structure 106. The window-type of skylight may have a side thatis pushed up/down or open to permit in ambient air into the interiorspace 108. The window-type of skylight may rotate on a hinge point topermit ambient air into the interior space 108. The window-type skylightmay be motorized to open and close and function similarly to anautomated window as discussed herein.

In some embodiments, the air inlet 126 in FIG. 1 can be or be at leastpartially replaced by the side of the window-type skylight that ispushed up/down or open to permit ambient air into the interior space108. The duct 127 of the window-type skylight can be formed fromsurfaces or walls similar to that of the interior space 108 to create aflow path for ambient air between the air inlet 126 and air outlet 128,as well as permit ambient light into the interior space 108.

Motorized automatic skylights and/or air inlets 126 can be in connectionwith a fresh air controller 300. The fresh air controller 300 cancontrol the operation of the motorized automatic skylights and/or airinlets 126. In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can send acommand signal to close one or more or all of the automatic skylightsand/or air inlets 126 in any of the operating modes or control logicflows discussed herein, including when sending a command signal to turnoff the WHF 102 as discussed herein.

The motorized automatic skylights and/or air inlets 126 can open fully,close fully, or be positioned somewhere in between, for example, via acommand signal from the fresh air controller 300. For example, in someembodiments, the motorized automatic skylights can open half way betweenfully closed and fully open, a quarter way between fully open and fullyclosed, or three quarters of the way between fully closed and fullyopen.

In some embodiments, the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100can have 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 15, or more skylights. Any number of the canbe motorized automatic skylights. For example, the fresh air cooling andventilating system 100 can have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more motorizedautomatic skylights. In some embodiments, one or more of the skylightsmay be non-motorized and be opened by the user manually.

In some embodiments, the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100can include one or more ventilation fans 118 as shown in FIG. 1. Theventilation fan 118 can be positioned in the attic space 104 of thebuilding structure 106. The ventilation fan 118 can be positioned nearor proximate to a corresponding vent 114 providing fluid communicationbetween the attic space 104 and the ambient environment around thebuilding structure 106. The ventilation fan 118 can be in communicationwith the fresh air controller 300 as discussed herein. In someembodiments, the ventilation fan 118 can draw air 120 from the atticspace 104 through the vent 114 to facilitate the function of the WHF 102as discussed herein. In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300can cause the ventilation fan 118 to operate with the WHF 102 beingoperated as discussed herein. In some embodiments, the fresh aircontroller 300 can operate the ventilation fan 118 independent of theWHF 102.

The ventilation fan 118 can be in communication with a ventilation fanor attic fan controller 224 (see for example FIGS. 3 and 4) which cancontrol the operation of the ventilation fan 118 through a wired orwireless connection. In some embodiments, the ventilation fan controller224 can be in communication with the fresh air controller 300 andreceive a command/operation signal from the fresh air controller 300.The ventilation fan controller 224 can be connected to the fresh aircontroller 300 via a wireless and/or wired connection utilizing, forexample, a Bluetooth connection, Wi-Fi connection, and/or any otherconnection suitable connection such as Ethernet cables. The fresh aircontroller 300 can send a command/operation signal causing theventilation fan controller 224 to operate the ventilation fan 118 or tosend a command/operation signal causing the ventilation fan controller224 to cease operation of the ventilation fan 118. As discussed hereinfor the WHF 102 and the ventilation fan 118 can be operated at differentspeeds. The fresh air controller 300 can determine and select a desiredspeed for the ventilation fan 118 based on, for example, the speed ofthe WHF 102.

In some embodiments, the WHF 102 as discussed herein can be installed inplace of the ventilation fan 118. The air inlet 112 and the WHF 118installed in a vent 114 can be connected by a flexible, sound insulatingduct 119. The duct 119 is illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 1. In someembodiments, the WHF 118 can be used with or in an unvented or sealedattic (sometimes referred to as high-performance or conditioned attics).In an unvented attic, air-impermeable insulation is applied directly tothe underside of the structural roof deck and is tied into theinsulation located in the walls so that the roof system becomes part ofthe insulated building enclosure. In some embodiments, the WHF 118 canbe used in an attic space 104 that is sealed with or without the duct119.

The fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100 can be installed inseveral different heating, ventilation, HVAC (heating, ventilation, andair conditioning) and/or air conditioning building environments/systemsto provide an energy savings and cost savings. Air conditioning systemor air conditioning as used herein may include one or more systems of abuilding structure used for heating, cooling, ventilating, and/or anyother type of conditioning/thermal management and/or movement of airwithin and/or through the building structure. In some embodiments, thefresh air cooling and ventilating system 100 can be installed in abuilding structure 106 without an existing air conditioning system. Insuch an installation, the fresh air controller 300 can make controldecisions on whether to activate the fresh air cooling and ventilatingsystem 100 based on the external and internal building temperatureand/or humidity conditions. If the user device 201 has received an inputor is set for cooling, the fresh air controller 300 can determinewhether the outside air temperature is cooler than the inside and turnson the WHF (including opening windows or dampers if included). If theoutside temperature is warmer than the internal temperature, the freshair controller 300 does not activate the system 100 but can continue tomonitor the temperature and/or humidity parameters periodically untilthe outside temperature is cool enough to cool effectively.

In some embodiments, the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100can be installed in a home with an existing air conditioning system. Ina home with existing air conditioning, the fresh air controller 300 cancontrol the air conditioner as well as the fresh air cooling andventilating system 100. In such an installation, the fresh aircontroller 300 can use signals received from the internal and externaltemperature, humidity, and/or AQI sensors 230 and/or information orsignals received from the climate condition system(s) to make controldecisions about whether to activate either the fresh air cooling andventilating system 100 or the existing air conditioning. If the userdevice 201 has received an input or is set for cooling, the fresh aircontroller 300 first can consider whether the fresh air cooling andventilating system has the capacity to efficiently cool the buildingstructure 106. As discussed herein, the fresh air controller 300 cansend a signal to activate the fresh air cooling and ventilating system100 over the existing air conditioning whenever the ambient temperatureand humidity conditions allow in order to realize a cost and energysavings over running the air conditioner. The fresh air controller 300can be set to default to use the fresh air cooling and ventilatingsystem 100 whenever possible instead of the air conditioning system toprovide a cost savings. If the fresh air controller 300 determines thatthe fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100 can effectively coolthe building structure, the fresh air controller 300 can send a signalto activate the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100 until thedesired temperature is reached. If, while the WHF 102 is running, thefresh air controller 300 determines that the WHF 102 is providinginadequate cooling and cannot cool the building structure 106 to thedesired temperature, it can send a command/operation signal to the wholehouse fan controller 200 to turn off the WHF 102 and can turn on the airconditioner. The fresh air controller 300 then can continue to monitorthe situation and can send a command/operation signal to the thermostatto turn off the air conditioner and send a command/operation signal tothe whole house fan controller 200 to turn back on the WHFs 102 whenconditions are optimal for the fresh air cooling and ventilating system100.

In some embodiments, the fresh air cooling and ventilating system can beinstalled in a building as part of a new air conditioning installation.In such an installation, the user device 201 functions substantially thesame as in installations retrofitted to function with existing airconditioning systems. The user device 201 may also fully control theoperation of the air conditioning system, in particular when the system100 installed as part of a new air conditioning installation.

FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of a motorized or automated window110. The motorized window 110 can have, be connected to, engage with,mate with, and/or cooperate with a motorized window opener 130. FIG. 2Billustrates an embodiment of the motorized window opener 130. The windowopener 130 can be automated to perform the functions of an automatic orautomated window 110 as discussed herein. The window opener 130 can bemodular and adjustable to be fitted and installed on a non-motorizedwindow to have the functions of an automated or automatic window asdiscussed herein. In some embodiments, the window opener 130 can beintegrated with the window to form or have an automated window 110.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the automated window 110 can have a fixedpanel 132 and a moveable or sliding panel 134 situated in a frame 136.The moveable panel 134 can move (e.g., move vertically up) relative tothe fixed panel 132 and frame 136 to create an opening 138 to allowfresh air into the building structure 106 as discussed herein. Themoveable panel 134 can move (e.g., move vertically down) to close theopening 138 and prevent or inhibit fresh air movement into the buildingstructure 106 as discussed herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the window opener 130 can be connected to oneor more solar photovoltaic panels 140. The solar panels 140 can beconnected to the opener 130 via one or more wires or cables 142 todirect electrical power generated by the solar panels 140 to the windowopener 130. As illustrated, the solar panels 140 can be situated on thewindow. Any suitable solar panels may be used including solar panelsthat extend along the frame 136 and/or the window opener 130.

The solar panel 140 can provide power that is stored in a battery in thewindow opener 130 that is used to power the window opener 130. In someembodiments, the window opener 130 does not have a battery and ispowered directly by the solar panel 140. In some embodiments, the solarpanel 140 can be connected to a window housing 148 via, for example,wires 142 or a connection interface (e.g., male and female mechanicalinterface with electrical connections or tabs) between the windowhousing 148 and the solar panel 140 providing direct electricalcommunication between the window housing 148 and the solar panel 140. Insome embodiments, the window opener 130 can be powered by an externalpower source, including a power source associated with the buildingstructure using, for example, 120V or 240V AC power of the buildingstructure 106. In some embodiments, the window opener 130 can be poweredby an external power source having a low voltage, such as 12V.

The window opener 130 can have one or more motor assemblies 144 thatengage with, mate with, and/or connect to one or more tracks 146positioned on the frame 136. The motor assemblies 144 can have one ormore gears with teeth or other suitable structures that engage, mate,and/or interact with one or more teeth or other suitable structures ofthe tracks 146. The motor assemblies 144 can be powered by the solarpanel 140 and/or battery as discussed herein. The motor assemblies 144can rotate or move the gears that cause the window opener 130 to travelor move vertically along the tracks 146 to cause the moveable panel 134to move vertically relative to the frame 136.

The motor assemblies 144 can be controlled by a window controllerhoused, for example, in a window housing 148. The window housing 148 canalso house other electronic components such as a battery. The windowhousing 148 can have one or more user interfaces for controlling thewindow opener 130. For example, the window opener 130 can have one ormore movement control buttons 150, 152 (or any other suitable interfacemechanism) for moving the window opener 130 and moveable panel 134 asdiscussed herein. An up button 150 can be pressed by a user for thewindow opener 130 to move the moveable panel 134 up relative to theframe 136. A down button 152 can be pressed by a user for the windowopener 130 to move the moveable panel 134 down relative to the frame136.

The window opener 130 can have a lock control 154 (e.g., a button, asliding protrusion, or any other suitable interface locking or lockmechanism), for example, on the window housing 148. The lock button 154can be activated by a user to prevent the window from being opened tolock, close, engage, and/or secure the window in a desired or certainposition and inhibit the automated window from being forced open. Forexample, if the automated window 110 is closed, the lock button 154 canbe activated by the user for the window controller to lock the motorassemblies 144 to prevent the motors from rotating such that themoveable panel 130 is prevented from moving. For example, the one ormore gears can resist movement against one or more teeth of the track146 and thereby prevent movement of the moveable panel 134. In someembodiments, the lock button 154 can activate a physical lock thatextends from the moveable panel 134 into a portion of the fixed panel132 and/or the frame 136 to prevent movement of the moveable panel 134.In some embodiments, the system 100 can automatically activate the lockcontrol 154 to inhibit the automated window from being opened. In someembodiments, the controller of the window opener 130 can automaticallydisengage the lock mechanism upon activation of the window opener by thesystem 100 as discussed herein or by activating any of the movementcontrol buttons 150, 152.

In some embodiments, the window opener 130 can have or activate an alarmsystem when the moveable panel 134 is forced open (e.g., forced open bya person by not using the movement control buttons 150, 152 and/orcommanded by the system 100 as discussed herein). The window opener 130can be armed when the lock control 154 is activated by the user toprevent movement of the moveable panel 134. The window opener 130 can bearmed by the system 100 and/or associated alarm system as discussedherein.

In some embodiments, the controller of the window opener 130 can be incommunication (wirelessly or wired) with the alarm system of thebuilding structure discussed herein. The alarm system can be triggeredas discussed herein when the moveable panel 134 is forced open. Thewindow opener can be activated or be armed at certain times of the day(e.g., during the night such as from 2100 to 0700). In some embodiments,the window opener 130 can have any suitable noisemaker such as a buzzeror a speaker. The noisemaker can be housed in the window housing 148.

In some embodiments, the controller of the window opener 130 can sensecurrent to and/or voltage of the motor assemblies 144 as the moveablepanel 134 moves along the tracks 146. The controller of the windowopener 130 can learn, map, and/or store in memory specific values andvariations in current to and/or voltage of the motor assemblies 144 asthe motor assemblies 144 move along the tracks 144. The controller ofthe window opener 130 can compare the actual values of current to and/orvoltage of the motor assemblies 144 along the tracks 146 to the storedcurrent to and/or voltage of the motor assemblies 144 along the tracks146. Upon detecting a variation, deviation, and/or change of the actualto the stored values of current to and/or voltage of the motorassemblies 144, for example, above a certain threshold, the controllerof the window opener 130 can determine that either there is an obtrusion(e.g., a person's hand) or that someone is forcing the moveable panel134 to trigger an alarm as discussed herein. In some embodiments, thecontroller of the window opener 130 can stop the movement of themoveable panel 134 to, for example, mitigate injury to a person (whenthe obtrusion is a body part of a person) as well as prevent damage tothe motor assemblies 144 and/or any other components of the automatedwindow 110.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the window opener 130 can have one ormore grippers or clips 148 that engage with, mate with, and/or connectto the moveable panel 134 to move the moveable panel 134 as the windowopener 130 travels or moves along the tracks 146 as discussed herein.Using the clips 148, the window opener 130 can be installed on anon-motorized window to automate the window as discussed herein.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the one or more motor assemblies 144can be positioned on a rail or post 150. The motor assemblies 144 can bemoved along the rail 150 to adjust an extent or length of the windowopener 130 to adjust for and accommodate different window widths whenthe window opener 130 is being installed (retrofitted) on anon-motorized window. While a vertically moveable panel 134 isillustrated in FIG. 2A, the window opener 130 can be similarly installedon moveable panels that move horizontally such that the window opener130 extent is adjusted vertically and moves horizontally to move themoveable panel.

Multifunction Adaptive Whole House Fan System Components

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment showing differentcomponents of a fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100. FIG. 2depicts an embodiment of, for example, the communication pathwaysbetween different components of the fresh air cooling and ventilatingsystem 100. In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can beintegrated into and be a part of a user device or a user input device201 such as an LCD Wall Control (see for example FIGS. 5 and 6) asdiscussed herein.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can be in two-waycommunication with a whole house fan controller 200. The connectionbetween the fresh air controller 300 and the whole house fan controller200 can be a wired or a wireless connection. In some embodiments, thefresh air controller 300 can be connected to the whole house fancontroller 200 by an Ethernet cable connection or any other suitablewired connection. In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 canbe connected to the whole house fan controller 200 by a Bluetoothconnection, a Wi-Fi connection, and/or any other suitable wirelessconnection to send and receive communication signals.

The whole house fan controller 200 can receive a signal from the freshair controller 300 as well as send a signal to the fresh air controller300. The fresh air controller 300 can send an operate command signal orcease operation command signal to the whole house fan controller 200.The whole house fan controller 200 can send a signal to the fresh aircontroller 300 indicating whether one or more WHFs 102 are operating aswell the parameters of operation of the WHF(s) 102 such as speed (RPM),duration of present operation, and history of operation.

The whole house fan controller 200 can be in wired connection orintegrated with a WHF 102 in order to cause and control the operation ofthe WHF 102 via, for example, one or more control signals. In someembodiments, the whole house fan controller 200 can be in two-waycommunication with one or more WHFs 102. The whole house fan controller200 can be in wireless communication with the one or more WHFs 102. Insome embodiments, the whole house fan controller 200 can be a mastercontroller for one or more WHFs 102 to cause and control the operationof one or more WHFs 102. The whole house fan controller 200 can be inwired connection or integrated with one of the WHFs 102. The whole housefan controller 200 can be in wired connection or integrated with one ofthe WHFs 102, while being in wireless communication with one or more ofthe other WHFs 102.

As discussed above, the connection between the whole house fancontroller 200 and the one or more WHFs 102 can be a wired or a wirelessconnection. In some embodiments, the whole house fan controller 200 canbe connected to and/or integrated with a WHF 102 by a wire or cableconnection or any other suitable electronic connection to causeoperation of the WHF 102. In some embodiments, the whole house fancontroller 200 can be connected to one or more WHFs 102 by a Bluetoothconnection, a Wi-Fi connection, and/or any other suitable wirelessconnection to send and receive communication signals.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can be in two-waycommunication with a ventilation fan controller 224. The connectionbetween the fresh air controller 300 and the ventilation fan controller224 can be a wired or a wireless connection. In some embodiments, thefresh air controller 300 can be connected to the ventilation fancontroller 224 by an Ethernet cable connection or any other suitablewired connection. In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 canbe connected to the ventilation fan controller 224 by a Bluetoothconnection, a Wi-Fi connection, and/or any other suitable wirelessconnection to send and receive communication signals.

The ventilation fan controller 224 can receive a signal from the freshair controller 300 as well as send a signal to the fresh air controller300. The fresh air controller 300 can send an operate command or ceaseoperation command to the ventilation fan controller 224. The ventilationfan controller 224 can send a signal to the fresh air controller 300indicating whether one or more ventilation fans 118 are operating aswell the parameters of operation of the ventilation fan(s) 118 such asspeed (RPM), duration of present operation, and history of operation.

The ventilation fan controller 224 can be in wired connection orintegrated with a ventilation fan 118 in order to cause and control theoperation of the ventilation fan 118 via for example one or more commandsignals. In some embodiments, the ventilation fan controller 224 can bein two-way communication with one or more ventilation fans 118. Theventilation fan controller 224 can be in wireless communication with theone or more ventilation fans 118. In some embodiments, the ventilationfan controller 224 can be a master controller for one or moreventilation fans 118 to cause and control the operation of one or moreventilation fans 118. The ventilation fan controller 224 can be in wiredconnection or integrated with one of the ventilation fans 118. Theventilation fan controller 224 can be in wired connection or integratedwith one of the ventilation fans 118, while being in wirelesscommunication with one or more of the other ventilation fans 118.

As discussed above, the connection between the ventilation fancontroller 224 and the one or more ventilation fans 118 can be a wiredor a wireless connection. In some embodiments, the ventilation fancontroller 224 can be connected to and/or integrated with a ventilationfan 118 by a wire or cable connection or any other suitable electronicconnection to cause operation of the ventilation fan 118. In someembodiments, the ventilation fan controller 224 can be connected to oneor more ventilation fans 118 by a Bluetooth connection, a Wi-Ficonnection, and/or any other suitable wireless connection to causeoperation of the ventilation fan 118.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can be in two waycommunication with motorized automatic windows 228A-C, including one ormore controllers associated with the one or more automatic windows228A-C. In some embodiments, the connection between the fresh aircontroller 300 and the automatic windows 228A-C can be a Bluetoothconnection, Wi-Fi, and/or a wired connection to send and receivecommunication signals. The fresh air controller 300 can send acommand/operation signal causing the automatic windows 228A-C orinstructing the automatic windows 228A-C to open, close, open partially,and/or close partially. The automatic windows 228A-C can send a signalback to the fresh air controller 300 indicating whether they are open,close, partially open, or partially closed. The automatic windows 228A-Cmay each have corresponding controllers that cause operation of theparticular automatic windows 228A-C as instructed by a command signalfrom the fresh air controller 300.

In some embodiments, the system 100 can include a master windowcontroller that is in wired and/or wireless communication with one ormore automatic windows 228A-C to control the automatic windows 228A-C asdiscussed herein. The fresh air controller 300 can send acommand/operation signal to the window controller to control theautomatic windows 228A-C as discussed herein. The window controller cansend a status/operation signal to the fresh air controller 300indicating a status (open/closed) or operation of one or more automaticwindows 228A-C.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can include errorcorrection features such that the fresh air controller 300 will notcause the WHF 102 to activate on when the fresh air controller 300detects that the automatic windows 228A-C are not open (with controlprotocols provided for the user to override if desired or otherwisedetermined by the fresh air controller 300 as discussed herein). In someembodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can include error correctionfeatures such that the fresh air controller 300 can send acommand/operation signal causing the air conditioning system to not beactivated when the WHF 102 is activated and/or the automatic windows228A-C are open. Conversely, in some embodiments, the fresh air coolingand ventilating system 100 will not activate when the fresh aircontroller 300 detects that the air conditioning system is activated. Insome embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can include errorcorrection features such that the fresh air controller 300 also will notsend a command/operation signal causing the WHFs 102 to activate unlessthe automatic windows 228A-C are open.

Utilizing multiple automatic windows 228A-C, the system can beconstructed with multiple zones whereby each automatic window 228A-C canoperate over different rooms or regions of the occupied space. In someembodiments, one or more automated or automatic dampers may be used withor without the automatic windows. The one or more dampers may functionand be controlled as discussed herein for automatic windows. Whenmultiple air intakes are used in conjunction with one or more userdevices 201, climate condition system(s) 217, and/or temperature,humidity, and/or AQI sensors 230, a user can activate different zones atdifferent times to cool the home. Such a system allows for cooling ofonly the occupied rooms of the building structure 106 thereforeproviding for more efficient cooling of the space and less energyconsumption. Unoccupied rooms can be turned off or ignored by the system100. Utilizing automatic windows 228A-C in conjunction with the WHF 102can enable for intelligent air quality and comfort level control. Thesystem can automatically determine when to open and close the automaticwindows 228A-C and turn on the WHF 102 when the exterior conditionspermit cooling of the internal building structure.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can interface with andbe in communication with air conditioning system(s) 215 to send and/orreceive signals and/or information corresponding to the air conditioningsystem 215. In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can be indirect wired or wireless communication (e.g., LAN or Bluetooth,respectively) to interface with and be in communication with the airconditioning system, including without being in communication with(e.g., bypassing) the thermostat controller discussed herein, to sendand/or receive signals and/or information corresponding to the operationof the air conditioning system as discussed herein. The fresh aircontroller 300 can receive information regarding an operating state ofthe air conditioning system 215. The fresh air controller 300 can send acommand or control signal to air conditioning system 215 as discussedherein. The fresh air controller 300 can receive informationcorresponding to temperature, humidity, AQI, and/or any otherweather/ambient environment information that the air conditioning system215 may have. Examples of devices that may have such informationcontrolling the air conditioning system 215 include Nest, Ecobee, andHoneywell.

The fresh air controller 300 can analyze data (for example, climatecondition system(s) data, sensor data) to more efficiently operate thesystem 100 and increase the automation of the system 100. The datautilized by the system 100 either can be generated locally within asingle fresh air cooling and ventilating system or can come from alarger set of fresh air cooling and ventilating systems provided to thefresh air controller 300 via an internet connection. In someembodiments, data analysis can occur remotely from the fresh aircontroller 300. Data can be collected and analyzed through a cloud basedonline system, formatted for use by a fresh air controller 300, thentransmitted to the fresh air controller 300 via the internet. Forexample, in some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 could utilizehistorical usage data to determine patterns of usage and predict when auser may want to use the system 100. In some embodiments, usage andweather data can be combined to determine when a particular user is orset of users are most likely to utilize the fresh air cooling andventilating system 100.

In some embodiments, the recommended usage in the summer season is toturn on the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100 when theoutside temperature is equal to or below the inside temperature and thenkeep them on until late in the evening to remove most of the latent heatthat can be stored in the structure and mass of the building structureand/or the attic. In some embodiments, the system 100 can be kept onuntil three hours after sunset. In some embodiments, the system 100 canbe kept on three or more hours, including 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 or morehours, including being kept on all night. This method can prolong thecooling effects of the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100 intothe subsequent day, thus reducing demand of the air conditioner. Byfollowing this procedure, a typical building structure in a desertclimate zone, such as in the Inland Empire area of Southern California,may only need the air conditioner to be run for two to three hours perday instead of the normal 8 to 10 hours in the heat of the summertypically required by existing air conditioning systems. The fresh aircooling and ventilating system 100 may use a fraction of the energy ofthe air conditioning system, and therefore results in a significantenergy and cost savings compared to traditional air conditioningsystems.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can be in two-waycommunication with a smart phone or device application 220. The freshair controller 300 can be in wireless communication with the smart phoneapplication 220 using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and/or any other suitablewireless communication protocol to send and receive communicationsignals. Such communication protocols may be used when the user with thesmart phone or other smart device is in or proximate the buildingstructure having the system 100.

As used herein, a smart phone or device application 220 can be used withany portable electronic device, such as a smart phone or tablet. Thesmart phone application 220 can allow a user to view information aboutand input information/commands to the fresh air cooling and ventilatingsystem 100 and operate the system 100. The fresh air controller 300and/or any other parts of the system 100 can receive control inputs or acommand signals from the smart phone application 220. For example, smartphone application 220 can be used to turn on and off the system 100,open and close windows 228A-C, switch the modes of operation of thesystem 100, turn on or off the WHF 102, turn on or off the ventilationfan 118, and/or any other operation that the fresh air controller 300can perform as discussed herein. Such integration through smart phoneapplication 220 allows for easier use of the system 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the smart phone application 220can be in two-way communication with the automatic windows 228A-C. Thesmart phone application 220 can control the operation of the automaticwindows 228A-C without the use of the fresh air controller 300. Forexample, the user may use the smart phone application 220 to open orclose the automatic windows 228A-C to provide fresh air to the interiorspace 108 without the fresh air system 100 operating or running, such asthe WHF 102 not operating or running.

As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the smart phone application 220can be in two-way communication with the ventilation fan controller 224.The smart phone application 220 can control the operation of the atticventilation fan 118 through the ventilation fan controller 224 withoutthe use of the fresh air controller 300. For example, the user may usethe smart phone application 220 to vent the attic space 104 without thefresh air system 100 operating or running, such as the WHF 102 notoperating or running.

In some embodiments, the smart phone application 220 can be used to setthe speed of the WHF 102 based on the temperature within the interiorspace 108. For example, the smart phone application 220 can be used toset a WHF to operate at low speed when the temperature in the interiorspace 108 is 70° F. to 75° F. or 65° F. to 75° F., to operate at highspeed when the temperature in the interior space 108 is above 75° F.,and to turn off when the temperature in the interior space 108 is below65° F. The system 100 can be programmed that if the inside temperaturewarms from 65° F. to 66° F., the WHF 102 will turn on at low speed. EachWHF 102 controlled by the smart phone application 220 and/or user device201 can have controls for fan speed, timer mode, display mode, andtemperature set points. The smart phone application 220 and/or userdevice 201 can have a speed control that allows the selection of a speedon a multi-speed (e.g., 2-speed or 3-speed) WHF 102. The smart phoneapplication 220 and/or user device 201 can allow a user to select theduration (e.g., 12 hours) of the timer. The smart phone application 220and/or user device 201 can allow a user to select to operate the WHF 102in continuous on mode. The smart phone application 220 and/or userdevice 201 can allow a user to select modes of operation as discussedherein, for example with reference to FIGS. 8-13.

The smart phone application 220 and/or user device 201 can perform afactory reset on the fresh air controller 300 and/or other components ofthe system 100 discussed herein. The smart phone application 220 and/oruser device 201 can initiate or coordinate the pairing process forpairing devices. For example, the one or more automatic windows 228A-Cmay be initially paired with the system 100 via the smart phoneapplication 220 and/or user device 201. The smart phone application 220and/or user device 201 can allow a user to configure the system toautomatically open select automatic windows when the WHF 102 is turnedon. The smart phone application 220 and/or user device 201 can allow auser to select how far to open particular windows. The smart phoneapplication 220 and/or user device 201 can allow a user to select theventilation fan 118 to turn on and at what speed when the WHF 102 isturned on.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can send a pushnotification or prompt to the smart phone application 220 alerting theuser with various information about the system 100. In some embodiments,the prompt may be associated and depend on information from theinternet, climate condition system(s) 217, and/or sensors 320. Forexample, the smart phone application 220 may receive information fromthe internet, climate condition system(s) 217, and/or sensors 230 asdiscussed herein without the fresh air controller 300 providing suchinformation. The prompt may include a push notification on the smartphone application 220 based on the information from the internet,climate condition system(s) 217, and/or sensors 230. In someembodiments, the user device 201 can utilize prompts as discussed hereinto provide push notification or prompts to the user as discussed herein.

A prompt can be an alert that a smart phone application 220 displays tothe user via a smart phone or device. For example, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a prompt to the user indicating it is an idealtime to run the system or WHF, the system or WHF is running, the systemor WHF is turning on, or the system or WHF is turning off, or any otherinformation about the system as discussed herein. Prompts can prompt theuser for input. For example, in some embodiments, the fresh aircontroller 300 can prompt a user with a question such as “is there awindow open in the home?” through a prompt.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can send a prompt tothe smart phone application 220 and/or the user device 201. In someembodiments, a prompt can be associated with and performed by the deviceapplication 220. In some embodiments, prompts can have functionality tonotify a user and allowing for user input. In some embodiments, promptscan be associated with and performed by the user device 201, and/orswitch 432 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The fresh air controller 300 can send aprompt to the user device 201 and/or switch 432.

In some embodiments the fresh air controller 300 can connect to otherdevices over a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.0/mesh. In some embodimentsthe fresh air controller can include a Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz Chip. In someembodiments, one or more components of the fresh air controller 300 canreceive 17 Amps of current, for example, from standard buildingelectrical power systems. In some embodiments, the fresh air controller300 can transmit or receive data across about 100 feet or more of directline communication. The fresh air controller 300 can transmit or receivedata across about 80 feet or more of direct line communication (e.g.,through average household obstructions). In some embodiments, the freshair controller 300 can operate at 120V and a frequency of 60 Hz. Thefresh air controller 300 can be adapted to have an operating temperaturebetween about −20° C. to +80° C. The fresh air controller 300 can beadapted to have a storage temperature between about −40° C. to +80° C.and a storage humidity of less than about 90% relative humidity(non-condensing). The fresh air controller 300 can comply withRestriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS).

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can communicate withand/or connect to one or more climate condition sensors 230, includingone or more temperature sensors, one or more humidity sensors, and/orone or more AQI sensors. In some embodiments, the temperature sensorhumidity sensor, and/or AQI sensor can be integrated into and positionedwithin a user device 201. In some embodiments, the temperature sensorhumidity, and/or AQI sensor can be positioned in any suitable locationwithin the building structure 106, such as the attic space 104, and/orthe interior space 108. In some embodiments, the temperature sensorhumidity, and/or AQI sensor can be positioned in any suitable locationoutside of the building structure 106, such as on an outside wall of thebuilding structure facing the ambient environment.

In some embodiments, the temperature sensor can send a signal of atemperature value corresponding to the temperature inside the interiorspace 108 of the building structure 106. In some embodiments, thetemperature sensor can send a signal of a temperature valuecorresponding to the temperature inside the attic space 104 of thebuilding structure 106. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor cansend a signal of a temperature value corresponding to the temperature ofthe ambient air/environment outside the building structure 106.

In some embodiments, the humidity sensor can send a signal of a humidityvalue corresponding to the humidity inside the interior space 108 of thebuilding structure 106. In some embodiments, the humidity sensor cansend a signal of a humidity value corresponding to the humidity insidethe attic space 104 of the building structure 106. In some embodiments,the humidity sensor can send a signal of a humidity value correspondingto the humidity of the ambient air/environment outside the buildingstructure 106.

In some embodiments, the AQI sensor can send a signal of an AQI value(such as information about and/or levels of volatile organic compound(VOC) gases, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, smoke, particulates,and/or pollen) corresponding to the AQI inside the interior space 108 ofthe building structure 106. In some embodiments, the AQI sensor can senda signal of an AQI value corresponding to the AQI inside the attic space104 of the building structure 106. In some embodiments, the AQI sensorcan send a signal of an AQI value corresponding to the AQI of theambient air/environment outside the building structure 106.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic illustrations of embodiments showingdifferent components of a fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100.FIGS. 3 and 4 depict embodiments of the communication pathways betweendifferent parts of the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100.

In some embodiments where the system 100 is not connected to automaticwindows, the fresh air controller 300 can send a push notification orprompt, via the smart phone application 220, or the user device 201, tothe user asking the user whether there is a window open in the buildingstructure 106 to prompt the user to ensure at least one window is openand ambient air is permitted to flow into the building structure 106.

As depicted in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300can be included in and be a part of the whole house fan smart controlhub 401 instead of a user device 201 as discussed herein. The wholehouse fan smart control hub 401 can have the functionality and featuresof the whole house fan controller 200 as discussed herein, whileincluding the fresh air controller 300 as described. As depicted in FIG.4, such a configuration of the system 100 can include automatic windows228A-C.

As depicted in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the whole house fan smartcontrol hub 401 can be in two-way communication with a switch 432, whichcan be a user device, such as a user device 201 discussed herein, forreceiving user input and displaying information to a user. Theconnection between the fresh air controller 300 of the whole house fansmart control hub 401 and the switch 432 can be a wired or a wirelessconnection. In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can beconnected to the switch 432 by an Ethernet cable connection or any othersuitable wired connection. In some embodiments, the fresh air controller300 can be connected to the switch 432 by a Bluetooth connection, aWi-Fi connection, and/or any other suitable wireless connection to sendand receive communication signals.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can operate based onuser input provided through signal from the switch 432. The switch 432can be a controlling device which is designed to convey limited orselected information to the user and provide the user with selectcontrol options. The switch 432 can be used in conjunction with otheruser input options such as the smart phone application 220.

In some embodiments, the switch 432 can allow the user to turn thesystem 100 on and off or set the system 100 to operate in automaticmode. In some embodiments, the switch 432 can allow the user to set acountdown timer until the system 100 should turn on or off. Thecountdown timer can allow the user to set a countdown of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6,8, or 12 hours or any time in between. In some embodiments, the switch432 can allow the user to configure the fresh air controller to operatein semi-automatic mode or configure the fresh air controller to notoperate in semi-automatic mode as discussed herein further. In someembodiments, the switch 432 can allow the user to choose between two ormore fan speeds and send a signal to the whole house fan controller 200,to change the speed of the fan.

In some embodiments, the switch 432 can have a 2-year battery life,however, the time of the battery life is not limiting. The switch 432can, for example, have a 1, 3, 4 or more year battery life. In someembodiments, the switch 432 can utilize a radio frequency (RF)connection to the whole house fan smart control hub 401 and/or the freshair controller 300. The switch 432 can connect to the whole house fansmart control hub 401 and/or the fresh air controller 300 via aBluetooth connection, a Wi-Fi connection, a wired connection or anyother kind of connection known to the art.

In some embodiments, the switch 432 can be power down or go into a sleepmode when the user has not interacted with the switch for a period oftime. In such a scenario, the switch can be wake up or turn on when theuser hits any button. In some embodiments, the switch is illuminated byLED lights to allow the user to find the switch easily when other lightsare turned out. In some embodiments, the switch 432 can have a lightsensor that can sense the level of light and in the area where theswitch 432 is located. The switch 432 can turn on the light senordetermines there is low light in the area in which the switch 432 islocated.

In some embodiments the switch 432 may further have and/or connect to avariety of sensors which can send information signals to the fresh aircontroller 300. For example, the switch 432 can have a temperaturesensor that can detect temperature changes of plus or minus 1 degreeFahrenheit. In some embodiments, the switch 432 can have a humiditysensor that can take a humidity reading of the humidity inside theliving space and transmit that humidity reading to the fresh aircontroller. In some embodiments, the switch 432 can have an AQI sensorthat can take an AQI reading of the AQI inside the living space andtransmit that AQI reading to the fresh air controller. In someembodiments, the switch 432 can be in connection with a smart phoneapplication 220 such that it is able to display information retrievedfrom either the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, and/or AQIsensor and display the information to the user through the smart phoneapplication 220.

FIGS. 5 and 6B depict an embodiment of a user device 201. In someembodiments, the user device 201 can be utilized by the user to controlthe fresh air cooling and ventilating system through user input. Theuser device 201 can display or otherwise convey information about thesystem 100 such as through auditory or tactile communication protocols.In some embodiments, the user device 201 can be use instead of theswitch 432 described above. The switch 432 and the user device 201 canalso be used together. In some embodiments, an LCD Wall Control unit canbe the user device 201. In some embodiments, the user device/LCD WallControl unit 201 and fresh air controller 300 can be contained withinthe same device or unit as well as other components as discussed hereinsuch as temperature, humidity sensors, and/or AQI sensors.

The user device 201 can be in communication with automatic windows228A-C, a whole house fan controller 200, ventilation fan controller224, an air conditioning system, and/or other components of the system100 as discussed herein to operate and optimize air control throughoutthe building structure 106. For example, the user device 201 can openand close the automatic windows 228A-C, turn on and off the fresh aircooling and ventilating system, turn on and off the ventilation fan,and/or turn on and off the air conditioning system with or without anyuser input.

In some embodiments, the user device 201 can be coupled with one or moretemperature, humidity sensors, and/or AQI sensors 230 to make fine-tunedcontrol decisions. Temperature, humidity sensors can, and/or AQI sensors230 be placed both inside the building structure and outside in theambient environment to determine optimal conditions for activating thefresh air cooling and ventilating system 100 as discussed herein. Theuser device 201 can be in wired or wireless communication with the oneor more temperature, humidity sensors, and/or AQI sensors 230 using anysuitable communication protocol as discussed herein. The user device 201can have and/or house one or more temperature, humidity sensors, and/orAQI sensors on the user device 201 and/or inside the user device 201.

In some embodiments, the user device 201 can have a touch-screeninterface for programming the device. In some embodiments, the userdevice 201 can also be used to control other secondary automatedbuilding functions such as security, lighting, and major appliances. Insome embodiments, the user device 201 can be used to control heating ina manner similar to an air conditioning system. In some embodiments, theuser device 201 can be activated remotely via a smart phone or bypersonal computer as discussed herein. In some embodiments, a user candetermine the existing indoor temperature, outdoor temperature, indoorhumidity, and/or outdoor humidity, as well as presently active unitsfrom a remote location through remote communication with the user device201. A user can also use the remote function to make program or controlchanges in the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100. In someembodiments, the user device 201 can be coupled with energy loadsensors, which can be one or more of the sensors 230, to provide anenergy management report and energy efficiency recording of thebuilding. In some embodiments, the energy load sensors can be placed onmajor appliances, the fresh air cooling and ventilating system, and theair conditioning system to provide instantaneous energy reports. Theuser device 201 can use the information from the energy load sensors tocontrol one or more components of the system 100 discussed herein, suchas the WHF 102, ventilation fan 118, and/or automated or automaticwindows 228A-C, as well as the air conditioning system or other systemof the building structure 106.

The user device 201 of the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100can receive user input that provides information to the fresh aircontroller 300 for the operation of the system 100. In some embodiments,the user device 201 can display or otherwise convey (auditory ortactile) information about the operation of the fresh air cooling andventilating system 100 to a user. In some embodiments, the informationdisplayed or conveyed by the user device 201 can include, but is notlimited to an indication as to whether the fresh air cooling andventilating system 100 is on or off 626, the temperature inside thebuilding structure 605, the temperature of the ambient air outside thebuilding structure 606, the humidity in the building structure 611, thehumidity of the ambient air outside the building structure 610, thehumidity in the attic of the building structure 609, the air qualityindex of the ambient air outside the building structure 607, anindication of whether the user device 201 has Bluetooth and Wi-Ficonnectivity turned on and/or is connected to other parts of the systemand/or internet 624, a countdown timer indicating when the system willturn on, an indication as to whether or not the system is operating insemi-automatic mode, automatic mode, or any other mode discussed herein608, an indication as to whether the windows connected to the system areopen 616, and/or an indication of what speed the WHF is operating at612. In some embodiments, the user device 201 displays information aboutthe connectivity of the fresh air controller 300 and whether or not itis connected to other components of the system 100 and/or connected toWi-Fi and/or Bluetooth.

In some embodiments, the user device 201 can receive input from the userfor the operation of the system. In some embodiments, the user device201 can allow the user to turn fans on, off, or put the system 100 inautomatic mode. In some embodiments, the user device 201 can allow theuser to put the system 100 in a semi-automatic mode. In someembodiments, the user device 201 can allow the user to operate thesystem 100 any component of the system 100 manually. In someembodiments, the user device 201 can allow the user to select betweendifferent WHF speeds (such as Speed 1, Speed 2, or Speed 3) which spinthe fans at a different rate. In some embodiments, Speed 1 correspondsto a low speed, Speed 2 corresponds to a medium speed, and Speed 3corresponds to a high speed. The system is, however, not limited tothree speeds. The WHF can operate at 1, 2, 4, 5, or any number ofdifferent speeds, including variable speeds. In some embodiments, theuser device 201 can allow the user to set a countdown timer to start orstop the operation of the system 100 at some future time. In someembodiments, the countdown timer can be set to 1 hours, 4 hours, 8hours, 12 hours, or anytime selected by the user.

In some embodiments, the user device 201 can include an LCD screen orany other kind of screen that is capable of displaying information. Insome embodiments, the LCD screen of the user device 201 can beilluminated by LED lights. In some embodiments, the LED lightsilluminating the LCD screen can turn on when a user interacts with thesystem and can turn off after 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 second, or any othertime of inactivity. In some embodiments, the LED lights of the userdevice 201 can blink if there is an issue with the system. In someembodiments, the LED lights can blink if the user device 201 is notconnected to the fresh air controller.

In some embodiments, the user device 201 can be mounted into a retrofitelectrical box that will be put into a wall. In some embodiments, theuser device 201 can be made of multiple pieces including a back piece,the user device 201, and a faceplate. In some embodiments, the backpiece can screw into the electrical box in the wall and provide a placefor the switch or user device 201 to be placed. In some embodiments, theuser device 201 can be connected to the back plate either by snappinginto the back plate or by some other means. In some embodiments thefaceplate can snap into or connect by some other means to the userdevice 201 and the back plate. In some embodiments, the faceplate canallow the user device 201 to blend in with other switches in thebuilding structure.

In some embodiments, the user device 201 can be battery powered. In someembodiments the user device 201 can connect to the electrical system ofthe building structure. In some embodiments, that battery life of userdevice 201 can be 1, 2, 3, or more years.

In some embodiments, the user device 201 can have additional 120V leadsand extra hot and neutral wires. These additional wires can be availablefor connection to additionally elements or components that, at present,are not included in the fresh air cooling and ventilating system. Insome embodiments, these leads can be used to power an actuator that canopen and close a damper to permit airflow into the building structure ora damper of the air intake 112 for the WHF 102.

In some embodiments, the user device 201 can have a light sensor. Insome embodiments, the light sensor of the user device 201 can receivelight input information from living space surrounding the user device201. In some embodiments, when the light sensor determines there is nolight or low light in the living area surrounding the user device 201the user device 201 can illuminate itself so it can easily be located bya user.

In some embodiments, the user device 201 can include and/or house thefresh air controller 300 or be in connection with the fresh aircontroller 300. In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 cancontrol the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100 as discussedherein in conjunction with the user device 201 functionality discussedherein.

Multifunction Adaptive Whole House Fan System Operating Modes andControls

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of a control diagram of the logic forcontrolling the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100. FIG. 7depicts a control diagram of the logic the fresh air controller 300 canutilize when the user places the fresh air cooling and ventilatingsystem 100 in an automatic mode using, for example, the smart phoneapplication 220 and/or user device 201. In some embodiments, the logicdepicted in FIG. 7 can run iteratively at a range of different intervalsincluding every minute, every five minutes, every 10 minutes, every 30seconds, every 1 second, anytime in between, or anytime beyond 10minutes. The interval at which the fresh air controller 300 can operatethe control logic can be set by the manufacturer, by the installer, bythe user, by the manufacturer, or by the installer and can be modifiedby the user.

As depicted in FIG. 7, in some embodiments, fresh air controller 300 canfirst determine whether the WHF 102 of the fresh air cooling andventilating system 100 is already operating, running, activated, orturned on 701. In some embodiments, depending on whether the WHF isoperating in step 701, the fresh air controller 300 will follow either aWHF on logic flow path 703 or a WHF off logic control flow path 702.

As depicted in FIG. 7, in some embodiments, if the fresh air controller300 determines that WHF is already operating in step 701, the fresh aircontroller 300 can proceed to step 715. For step 715 in the WHF on logicflow path 703, the fresh air controller 300 can determine whether thetemperature in the attic of the building structure is within theoperating parameters of the system. The fresh air controller 300 canreceive a temperature value corresponding to the temperature in theattic of the building structure from a temperature sensor located in theattic of the building structure. The fresh air controller 300 cancompare the attic temperature value with a predetermined attictemperature value. The fresh air controller 300 can determine that ifthe attic temperature is higher than the predetermined attic temperaturevalue, the fresh air controller 300 can send a command/operation signalcausing the whole house fan controller to turn off the WHF 102 andsignal the automatic windows to close, as shown in step 785. The freshair controller 300 can determine that if the attic temperature value isbelow the predetermined attic temperature, the fresh air controller 300can continue on the WHF on logic flow path 703 to step 725.

The predetermined attic temperature, in some embodiments, can be 182degrees Fahrenheit. A temperature of 182 degrees Fahrenheit or above mayindicate that there is a fire in the building structure. In such ascenario the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100 is designed toshut down to prevent air from being drawn into the building structureand further feeding any fire that may be occurring in the buildingstructure. The predetermined attic temperature is not limited to 182degrees Fahrenheit, but can be set at any temperature value, including160, 165, 170, 170, and 180 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, undertypical operating conditions, the attic temperature may reach between120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

For building structures positioned in excessively hot conditions, suchas a desert, the attic temperature may reach up to 160 degreesFahrenheit. In some embodiments, the smart phone application 220 and/oruser device 201, can allow the user to modify the predetermined attictemperature, for example, depending on the location of the system 100.The system 100 may automatically modify the predetermined attictemperature depending on the location of the building structure withinwhich the system 100 is installed. This feature is advantageous becauseit can prevent the system from exacerbating a fire that may be occurringin the building structure.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, if the attic temperature isdetermine to be lower than the predetermined attic temperature in step715, the fresh air controller 300 can determine whether the outside airquality index value is within predetermined parameters for operation ofthe fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100 as shown in step 725.In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can receive an airquality index value corresponding to the air quality index for theambient air outside the building structure through from the climatecondition system 217, air conditioning system 215, and/or one or moresensors 230, and/or the internet as discussed herein. The fresh aircontroller 300 can compare the air quality index value for the ambientair outside the building structure to a predetermined operatingparameter for the air quality index.

In some embodiments, the predetermined operating parameters for airquality index value or predetermined air quality index value can be setby the user via the smart phone application 220 and/or user device 201.In some embodiments, the predetermined operating parameters for the airquality index can be set by the manufacturer, the installer, or someother entity during or prior to installation of the system 100. In someembodiments, the predetermined air quality index value can be 100. Insome embodiments, the predetermined air quality index value can be 50,60, 70, 80, 90, 110, 120, 130, 140, or 150. It is advantageous to checkthe air quality index value of the ambient air outside the buildingstructure prior to operating the WHF because operating the WHF when theair quality index is high may cause highly polluted air to be pulledinto the building structure, potentially negatively affecting itsoccupants.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, if the air quality indexvalue is determined to be outside the air quality index operatingparameters such as being greater than the predetermined air qualityindex value, the fresh air controller 300 send a command signal to turnoff the WHF 102 and send a command signal to close the automatic windowsas shown in step 785.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, if the fresh air controller300 determines that air quality index value is within the air qualityindex operating parameters such as being less than the predetermined airquality index value in step 725, the fresh air controller 300 candetermine whether the outside humidity is within the parameters foroperation as shown in step 735. The fresh air controller 300 can receivea humidity value corresponding to the humidity of the ambient airoutside the building structure. In some embodiments, the fresh aircontroller 300 can receive the ambient humidity value from the climatecondition system 217, air conditioning system 215, and/or one or moresensors 230, and/or the internet or from a humidity sensor incommunication with the fresh air controller 300.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can compare theambient air humidity value to a predetermined humidity operatingparameter or value. In some embodiments, the predetermined humidityoperating parameter can be set by the user utilizing the user deviceand/or smart phone application, or by the manufacturer or the system orthe person installing the system or any combination of the above.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, if the fresh air controller300 determines that the ambient air humidity value and the predeterminehumidity operating parameters is outside the predetermined humidityoperating parameters such as the humidity value being greater than thepredetermined humidity value, the fresh air controller 300 can send asignal to turn off the WHF 102 and send a command signal to close theautomatic windows as show in step 785. In some embodiments, as depictedin FIG. 7, if the fresh air controller 300 determines that the ambientair humidity value is within the operating parameters such as humidityvalue being less than the predetermined humidity value, the fresh aircontroller 300 continues to the next step in the WHF on flow path 703 tostep 735.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, if the fresh air controller300 determines the ambient air humidity value to be within the operatingparameters in step 735, the fresh air controller 300 can determinewhether the outside air temperature is within the parameters foroperation in step 745. The fresh air controller 300 can receive anambient air or outside temperature value corresponding to thetemperature of the air outside the building structure. In someembodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can receive an ambient air oroutside temperature value from a temperature sensor in communicationwith the fresh air controller 300. In some embodiments, the fresh aircontroller 300 can receive an ambient air or outside temperature valuefrom the climate condition system(s) 217 and/or the internet to aweather service.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can compare thepresent or current outside temperature value to a predetermined ambienttemperature operating parameter. In some embodiments, the predeterminedambient temperature operating parameter can be set by the user utilizingthe user device and/or smart phone application, or by the manufactureror the system of the person installing the system or any combination ofthe above.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, if the fresh air controller300 determines that the present ambient air or outside temperature valueis not within the predetermined ambient temperature operating parameterssuch as the present or current ambient air or outside temperature valueis greater than the predetermined outside temperature value in step 745,the fresh air controller 300 send a command signal to turn off the WHF102 and send a command signal to close the automatic windows as shown instep 785. In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, if the fresh aircontroller 300 determines that the outside temperature value is withinthe operating parameters such as the present or current ambient air oroutside temperature value is less than the predetermined outsidetemperature value, the fresh air controller 300 continues to the nextstep in the WHF on flow path 703, step 755.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, if the fresh air controller300 determines that the outside air temperature value is within theoperating parameters in step 745, the fresh air controller 300 candetermine whether the air temperature inside the building structure(inside temperature value) is higher than the air temperature outsidethe building structure (outside temperature value) as shown in step 755.The fresh air controller 300 can receive a temperature valuecorresponding to the temperature of the air inside the buildingstructure (inside temperature value) from the climate condition system217, air conditioning system 215, and/or one or more sensors 230. Insome embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can receive a temperaturevalue corresponding to the temperature of the ambient air outside thebuilding structure (outside temperature value) from the climatecondition system 217, air conditioning system 215, and/or one or moresensors 230. In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 canreceive the inside temperature value from a temperature sensor incommunication with the fresh air controller 300.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can compare the insidetemperature value to the outside temperature value. If the fresh aircontroller determines that the outside temperature value is greater thanthe inside temperature value in step 755, the fresh air controller 300send a command signal to turn off the WHF 102 and send a command signalto close the automatic windows as shown in step 785. In someembodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, if fresh air controller 300determines that the outside temperature value is less than the insidetemperature value, the fresh air controller 300 can continue to the nextstep in the WHF on flow path 703 to step 765.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, if the fresh air controller300 determines the inside temperature value is greater than the outsidetemperature value in step 755, the fresh air controller 300 candetermine whether the outside air temperature has increased by more than1 degree Fahrenheit, as shown in step 765. The fresh air controller 300can compare the current or present outside temperature value to a storedprevious outside temperature value.

In some embodiments, the stored previous outside temperature value cancorrespond to the outside temperature received by the fresh aircontroller 300 during the most recent iteration of the WHF off controllogic flow path 702. In some embodiments, the stored previous outsidetemperature value can correspond to the outside temperature received bythe fresh air controller 300 during the most recent iteration of the WHFon control logic flow path 703. In some embodiments, change intemperature is not limited to 1 degree Fahrenheit and the fresh aircontroller 300 can determine whether the outsider temperature hasincreased by more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit, 3 degrees Fahrenheit, 5degrees Fahrenheit, or any other temperature increase.

In some embodiments, if the fresh air controller 300 determines therehas been an increase in the outside temperature of more than 1 degreeFahrenheit in step 765, the fresh air controller 300 send a commandsignal to turn off the WHF 102 and send a command signal to close theautomatic windows as shown in step 785. In some embodiments, the freshair controller can delete or clear the stored previous temperature valuein step 785. In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, if the freshair controller 300 determines there has not been an increase in theoutside temperature of more than 1 degree Fahrenheit the fresh aircontroller 300 can continue to the next step in the WHF on flow path 703to step 775.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, if the fresh air controller300 determines that the outside temperature has not increased by morethan one (1) degree Fahrenheit or any other predetermined temperatureincrease in step 765, the fresh air controller 300 can adjust the WHF102 speed based on the inside temperature value, as shown in step 775.The fresh air controller 300 can compare the previously determinedinside temperature value to a set of predetermined inside temperaturevalues.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can send acommand/operation signal causing the whole house fan controller 200 toadjust the WHF speed based on the inside temperature value, as shown instep 775. The fresh air controller 300 can send a command/operationsignal causing the whole house fan controller 200 to adjust the WHFspeed as discussed herein.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can compare the insidetemperature value to a first, second, and third predetermined insidetemperature values. For example, if the inside temperature value isbetween the first and second predetermined inside temperature values,the fresh air controller 300 can send a command signal to operate theWHF 102 at a first speed. If the inside temperature value is between thesecond and third predetermined inside temperature values, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a command signal to operate the WHF 102 at asecond speed. If the inside temperature value is greater than the thirdpredetermined inside temperature value, the fresh air controller 300 cansend a command signal to operate the WHF 102 at a third speed.

In some embodiments, the first, second, and third fan speeds correspondto a low, a medium, and a high speed respectively. In some embodiments,the WHF is not limited to three speeds, but instead can have 1 speed, 2speeds, 4 speeds, 6 speeds, or any number of speeds. In someembodiments, the number of speeds corresponds to the number ofpredetermined values to which the fresh air controller 300 can comparethe inside temperature of the building structure such that, for example,the number of speeds is equal to the number of predetermined temperaturevalues.

In some embodiments, the first predetermined inside temperature to whichthe fresh air controller 300 can compare the inside temperature to isthe lowest predetermined temperature. In some embodiments, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a command signal to turn off the WHF and closethe automatic windows when the inside temperature value is lower thanthe lowest predetermined inside temperature value. In some embodiments,the first predetermined inside temperature can be the predeterminedinside temperature value for WHF operation discussed herein withreference to step 760. In some embodiments, the predetermined insidetemperature values to which the inside temperature is compared to can beset by the user utilizing the user device and/or smart phoneapplication, or by the manufacturer or the system of the personinstalling the system or any combination of the above. This can help tonot turn on, activate, or keep running the WHF if the building structureis already cooler than the user would like it to be.

In some embodiments, when the fresh air controller 300 determines thatthe WHF 102 should be turned off while progressing through the WHF onlogic flow path 703, the fresh air controller 300 can delete or clearthe store outside temperature value as part of step 785. In someembodiments, as part of step 785 for any of the logic steps discussedherein, the fresh air controller 300 can send a signal to the homethermostat to resume or continue operation of the air conditioningsystem when it is not ideal to run the WHF.

In some embodiments, when the fresh air controller 300 sends a signal toclose the automatic windows, as shown in step 785, the fresh aircontroller 300 can perform a check to determine or verify whether theautomatic windows have been closed. The fresh air controller 300 canperform this check by determining the number of automatic windowsconnected to the fresh air controller 300 or the system 100. The freshair controller 300 can retrieve or receive a status signal from eachwindow indicating whether or not the any of the particular window(s) areopen. If one or more of the windows are open, the fresh air controller300 can send a command signal to close the corresponding window. If allof the windows are closed, the WHF on control logic flow path 703 can becomplete. If the fresh air controller 300 receives a signal indicatingthere is an error with one or more windows that cannot be closedautomatically, the fresh air controller 300 can cause an errornotification to be sent to the user through a push notification orprompt sent via the smart phone application 220, and/or the user device201 indicating that one or more particular windows could not closedautomatically. If there is more than one automatic window connected tothe system, the fresh air controller 300 can repeat the same steps foreach automatic window.

In some embodiments, the when the automatic mode is turned off manuallyfrom either the switch 432, the user device 201, and/or smart phoneapplication 220, the fresh air controller 300 can clear the storedoutside temperature value, send a command signal to close the automaticwindows, and verify the automatic windows are closed as discussedherein.

As depicted in FIG. 7, in some embodiments if at the fresh aircontroller 300 determines the WHF is not running in step 701, the freshair controller 300 can follow the logic of the WHF off control flow path702. In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, the logic of flow pathcan be the same or similar to the logic of the WHF on flow path 703 upuntil step 760. Thus, steps 710, 720, 730, 740, and 750 can correspondto steps 715, 725, 735, 745, and 755 described above, respectively. Thefresh air controller 300 can perform steps 710, 720, 730, 740, and 750in substantially the same manner as described above for steps 715, 725,735, 745, and 755, respectively, with steps 710, 720, 730, 740, and 750leading to step 792 or continuing in the logic sequence to, for example,step 790 similar to steps 715, 725, 735, 745, and 755, leading to step785 or continuing in the logic sequence to, for example, step 775 asdiscussed herein.

After determining that the inside temperature is greater than theoutside temperature in step 750, in some embodiments, as depicted inFIG. 7, the fresh air controller 300 can determine whether the presentor current inside temperature value is greater than a predeterminedinside temperature value for operation of the WHF as shown in step 760on the WHF off logic flow path 702. The fresh air controller 300 cancompare the inside temperature value to a predetermined insidetemperature value for operation. The predetermined inside temperaturevalue for operation can be set by the user utilizing the user deviceand/or smart phone application, or by the manufacturer or the system ofthe person installing the system or any combination of the above. Thisfeature allows setting a minimum temperature below which the WHF is notactivated, thus preventing the building structure from getting too cold.The predetermined inside temperature value can equal or correspond tothe minimum temperature below which the WHF is not activated or turnedon.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, if the fresh air controller300 determines that the present or current inside temperature value isless than the predetermined inside temperature value in step 760, thefresh air controller 300 will not send a command signal to turn on oractivate the WHF 102 or open the automatic windows, as shown in step792. If the fresh air controller 300 determines that the present orcurrent inside temperature value is greater than the predeterminedinside temperature value in step 760, the fresh air controller 300 canproceed to the next step in the WHF off logic flow path 702 to step 770.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, if the fresh air controller300 determines that the inside temperature value is greater than thepredetermined inside temperature value in step 760, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a command signal to not operate or activate to ahome or other system connected thermostat(s) that can control aircondition system(s) of the building structure, as shown in step 770. Thefresh air control 300 can send a command signal to one or more connectedthermostats as discussed herein to set the operating mode to off, forexample, for an air conditioning system. The fresh air controller 300can verify that the connected thermostat(s) are in the off mode. In someembodiments, the connected thermostat(s) are set to an off mode toprevent the air conditioning system in the building structure fromoperating at the same time as the WHF.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, after setting the connectedthermostats to off in step 770, the fresh air controller 300 can send acommand signal to the automatic windows connected to the fresh aircooling and ventilating system 100 to open, as shown in step 780. Thefresh air controller 300 can verify whether the automatic windowsopened. If the fresh air controller 300 determines in step 780 theautomatic windows did not open as discussed herein, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send an error message to the user via a pushnotification or prompt sent to the smart phone application 220, and/orthe user device 201. In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300in the automatic mode will not turn on the WHF 102 if the fresh aircontroller 300 cannot verify that at least one window is open, as shownin step 792.

In some embodiments, to verify or check that at least one automaticwindow is open in step 780, the fresh air controller 300 can determinethe number of automatic windows connected to the fresh air controller300 or the system 100. The fresh air controller 300 can determinewhether the first automatic window is set to automatically open. If thefirst automatic window is set to automatically open, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a signal to open the first automatic window. Thefresh air controller 300 can request the status of the first automaticwindow and can receive a signal indicating whether the first automaticwindow is open, closed, or is experiencing an error. If first automaticwindow is closed or experiencing an error, the fresh air controller 300can send a push notification or prompt, via the smart phone application220 and/or the user device 201, alerting the user of the error and turnoff or exit automatic mode. If there are multiple or one or moreautomatic windows, the fresh air controller 300 can repeat this processfor each automatic window and can activate the WHF if at least oneautomatic window is open. If all of the automatic windows are closed orexperiencing an error, the fresh air controller 300 can turn off or exitautomatic mode, while having sent a push notification or prompt, via thesmart phone application 220 or the user device 201, alerting the user ofthe error based on the closed or error automatic window logic asdiscussed herein. In some embodiments, if the fresh air controller 300verifies at least one window is open in step 780, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a signal to the whole house fan controller 200turn on, activate, or operate the WHF and adjust the WHF speed, as shownin step 790.

In some embodiments, the system 100 can be communication with an alarmsystem of the building structure. The alarm system of the buildingstructure can be designed to monitor the building structure and informwhen an intruder has entered the building structure or some otherundesirable event has occurred when the alarm system is active oractivated (e.g., armed). The fresh air controller 300 can send andreceive communication signals to and from the alarm system. In someembodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can be in communication withthe alarm system or a controller of the alarm system through smart homeconnections, including via cloud services.

In some embodiments, when the alarm system is active, the alarm systemor alarm system controller can send a communication or status signal tothe fresh air controller 300 indicating that alarm system is active andthat the one or more automatic windows of the building structure shouldnot be opened. In some embodiments, when the alarm system is active andthe user controls the system 100 to operate and open the one or moreautomatic windows as discussed herein (e.g., in the semi-automaticmode(s)), the fresh air controller 300 can send a push notification tothe smart phone application 220, via the internet, alerting the userthat the alarm system is active and that the one or more automaticwindows should not be open or that opening the one more automaticwindows may trigger the alarm system. In some embodiments, when thealarm system is active and the system 100 is automatically operating(e.g., in the automatic mode(s)) where one or more automatic windows areto be automatically opened as discussed herein, the fresh air controller300 can send a push notification to the smart phone application 220, viathe internet, alerting the user that the alarm system is active and thatthe one or more automatic windows could not be opened or that openingthe one more automatic windows may trigger the alarm system.

The system 100 may configured such that the user may override thefunctionality or setting of automatic windows not being able to beopened when the alarm system is active to have automatic windows beopened by the fresh air controller 300 even if the alarm system isactive. The fresh air controller 300 may send a status signal to thealarm system indicating user override for opening automatic windows. Insome embodiments, the alarm system may include functionality (e.g., withthe fresh air controller 300 sending an override signal) to allow thefresh air controller 300 to open one or more automatic windows withouttriggering the alarm system while the alarm system is active.

In some embodiments, when the alarm system is active, the fresh aircontroller 300 can suspend operation of the WHF and not open the one ormore windows in one or more modes discussed herein that cause theautomatic windows to automatically open (e.g., in the automatic mode(s))where the fresh air controller 300 monitors certain parameters whetherto automatically open one or more automatic windows and turn on the WHF.In some embodiments, when the alarm system is inactive or deactivated(e.g., disarmed), the alarm system or alarm system controller can send acommunication or status signal to the fresh air controller 300indicating that alarm system is inactive and that the one or moreautomatic windows of the building structures can be opened for, forexample, the system 100 to operate as discussed herein. When the alarmsystem is activated, the alarm system can send an active status signalto the fresh air controller 300; if the WHF is operating with one ormore automatic windows open (in any mode), the fresh air controller 300may in response suspend operation of the WHF and close one or moreautomatic windows as discussed herein to, for example, secure thebuilding structure 106.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can send acommand/operation signal causing the whole house fan controller 200 toadjust the WHF speed based on the inside temperature value, as shown instep 790. The fresh air controller 300 can send a command/operationsignal causing the whole house fan controller 200 to adjust the WHFspeed as discussed herein in reference to step 775.

In some embodiments, after turning on the WHF according to the WHF offlogic flow path 702 discussed herein, the fresh air controller 300 cangenerate and store a stored outside temperature value corresponding tothe outside temperature value received by the fresh air controller 300during this iteration of the flow path 702, such as at step 740 asdiscussed herein or after performing step 790 with the WHF operating.The stored outside temperature value can correspond to a previoustemperature value for use in the control logic in any of the modesdiscussed herein. The previous temperature value can be associated witha time period ago between the current iteration of the logic flow pathand the next time the fresh air controller 300 generates and stores astored outside temperature value as discussed herein. In someembodiments, the time period ago can be a predetermined time period ago,a previous time period, or a predetermined previous time periodcorresponding to a time when the fresh air controller 300 retained thestored/previous outside temperature value.

FIGS. 8, 9A, 9B 10, and 11 depict embodiments of a control diagram ofthe logic for controlling the fresh air cooling and ventilating system100. FIGS. 8, 9A, 9B, 10, and 11 depict embodiments of the fresh aircooling and ventilating system 100 operating in a semi-automatic mode.The semi-automatic mode can include control logic that runs certainaspects of the system 100 automatically after the user provides inputsfor other aspects, such as turning on the system 100.

FIG. 8, depicts an embodiment of control logic when the fresh aircooling and ventilating system 100 is turned on and is set to operate inthe semi-automatic mode by a user with the system 100 includingautomatic windows. The control logic illustrated in FIG. 8 can beimplemented when the system 100 is initiated or controlled in thesemi-automatic mode from the user device 201. In some embodiments, thecontrol logic illustrated in FIG. 8 can be implemented when the system100 is initiated or controlled in the semi-automatic mode from the smartphone application 220. The control logic illustrated in FIG. 8 can runiteratively at a range of different intervals including every minute,every five minutes, every 10 minutes, every 30 seconds, every 1 second,anytime in between, or anytime beyond 10 minutes. The interval at whichthe fresh air controller 300 can operate the logic can be set by themanufacturer, by the installer, by the user, by the manufacturer, or bythe installer and can be modified by the user.

In fresh air control logic diagram depicted in FIG. 8, steps 801, 815,825, 835, and 845 can correspond to steps 701, 715, 765, 775, and 785,respectively, described herein for FIG. 7. The fresh air controller 300can perform steps 801, 815, 825, 835, and 845 in substantially the samemanner as described above for steps 701, 715, 765, 775, and 785,respectively, with steps 815, 825, and 835 leading to step 845 orcontinuing in the logic sequence to, for example, step 835, similar tosteps 715, 765, and 775 leading to step 785 or continuing in the logicsequence to, for example, step 775 as discussed herein.

In the fresh air control logic diagram depicted in FIG. 8, steps 810,820, 840, 860, 870, and 880 can correspond to steps 710, 720, 760, 780,790, and 792, respectively, described herein FIG. 7. The fresh aircontroller 300 can perform steps 810, 820, 840, and 860 in substantiallythe same manner as described above for steps 710, 720, 760, and 780,respectively, with steps 810, 840, and 860 leading to step 880 orcontinuing in the logic sequence to, for example, step 870, similar tosteps 710, 760, and 780 leading to step 792 or continuing in the logicsequence to, for example, step 790 as discussed herein.

For the WHF off logic flow path 802, in some embodiments, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a command signal to cause the WHF to operate fora predetermined amount of time immediately after determining the attictemperature is within parameters for operation per step 810. After theWHF runs for the predetermined amount of time, the fresh air controller300 may proceed to step 820 to continue the control logic as discussedherein. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of time foroperation of the WHF can be 30 minutes. In some embodiments, thepredetermined amount of time for operation can be 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30,35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, or greater than 60 minutes.

As depicted in FIG. 8, some steps of the control logic for controllingthe system 100 have a similar first step 801 to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 8, thefresh air controller 300 may check certain operating parameters afterdetermining whether the WHF is already running, as shown in step 801,and following the WHF on flow path 803. For example, as depicted in FIG.8, in some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 may determinewhether the attic temperature is with operating parameters, as shown instep 815, and whether the outside temperature has increased by more thanone degree Fahrenheit, as shown in step 825. In some embodiments, asdepicted in FIG. 8, after determining the attic temperature is withinoperating parameters, as shown in step 815 and that the outsidetemperature has not increased by more than one degree Fahrenheit, thefresh air controller 300 can proceed to adjusting the WHF speed based onthe temperature inside the living space, as shown in step 835. In someembodiments, as depicted in FIG. 8, after determining the attictemperature is not within operating parameters, as shown in step 815, orthat the outside temperature has increased by more than one degreeFahrenheit, the fresh air controller 300 can send a signal to the wholehouse fan controller 200 to turn off the WHF and send a signal to closethe automatic windows as shown in step 845.

In some embodiments, the when the semi-automatic mode is turned offmanually by the user from the smart phone application 220 and/or theuser device 201, the fresh air controller 300 can clear the storedoutside temperature value, send a signal to close the automatic windows,and verify the windows are closed as discussed herein.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 8, when determining whether theoutside air quality index value is within operating parameters on theWHF off flow path 802, as shown in step 820, the fresh air controller300 can send a push notification or prompt, via the smart phoneapplication 220 and/or the user device 201, to the user if the airquality index is not within operating parameters as discussed herein(for example, for step 725), as shown in step 830. The push notificationor prompt can warn, alert, or inform the user that it is not preferableto operate the WHF. After sending the push notification or promptnotifying that it is not preferable to operate the WHF, the fresh aircontroller may proceed step 840 to determine whether to turn the WHF on,activate, or operate based on the inside temperature. By providing forthe WHF to possibly operate as discussed herein after step 830, the usermay be provided with greater control over the system 100 and choice asto when to operate the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100,despite for example, possibly an undesirable air quality index value asdiscussed herein.

In some embodiments, a push notification or prompt that does not turnoff the WHF or prevent the system from operating can be added, in someembodiments, at any decision point of the fresh air controller 300whether in the WHF on flow path or the WHF off flow path, or any otherlogic flow path utilized by the fresh air controller 300. For example,in some embodiments, when the WHF is on or when the WHF is off, thefresh air controller 300 may send a push notification or prompt, via thesmart phone application 220 and/or the user device 201, alerting theuser that the outside humidity is high and that it is not preferable tooperate the WHF, but nonetheless, still allow the user to continueoperation of the WHF.

Returning to the WHF off logic flow path 802, in some embodiments, thefresh air controller 300 can allow the user to set whether the userwants the automatic windows to be automatically opened. As depicted inFIG. 8, the fresh air controller 300 can determine whether the windowshave been/are set to automatically open, as shown in step 850. Ifwindows are not set to automatically open, as depicted in FIG. 8, thefresh air controller 300 can proceed to step 870 to turn on the WHF andadjusting the WHF speed based on the inside temperature as discussedherein (for example at various speeds based on the inside temperaturevalue). For example, when the windows are not set to automatically openand the user has turned on the system 100 to semi-automatic mode, it maybe assumed that the user has manually opened at least one window in thebuilding structure.

If the automatic windows are set to open automatically in step 850, asdepicted in FIG. 8, the fresh air controller 300 can send a commandsignal to cause the one or more automatic windows to open and verify atleast one window is open as discussed herein, as shown in step 860. Thefresh air controller 300 can perform step 860 as discussed herein forstep 780, resulting in the fresh air controller 300 performing operatingcommands according to either step 870 of turning on the WHF andadjusting the speed or step 880 of not turning on the WHF if one or moreautomatic windows cannot be verified to be open. If the fresh aircontroller 300 determines that at least one automatic window is not openin step 860, in some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 8, the fresh aircontroller 300 can cause a push notification or prompt, via the smartphone application 220 and/or the user device 201, notifying the userwhich automatic window is not automatically opening.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can generate and storea stored outside temperature value corresponding to the outsidetemperature value received by the fresh air controller 300 during thecurrent iteration of the logic flow path after completing the WHF onlogic flow path 802 and determining that the WHF should be turned onaccording to step 870. The stored outside temperature value cancorrespond to a previous temperature value for use in the control logicin any of the modes discussed herein. The previous temperature value canbe associated with a time period ago between the current iteration ofthe logic flow path and the next time the fresh air controller 300generates and stores a stored outside temperature value as discussedherein. In some embodiments, the time period ago can be a predeterminedtime period ago, a previous time period, or a predetermined previoustime period corresponding to a time when the fresh air controller 300retained the stored/previous outside temperature value.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can delete or clearthe stored outside temperature value if, during the WHF on logic flowpath 803, the fresh air controller 300 determines the WHF should beturned off according to step 845.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the fresh aircooling and ventilating system 100 can be set to operate insemi-automatic mode by a user with the system 100 including automaticwindows. The control logic illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B can beimplemented when the system 100 is initiated or controlled in thesemi-automatic mode, in particular, from a smart phone application 220.The control logic illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B can be implemented whenthe system 100 is initiated or controlled in the semi-automatic modefrom the user device 201. The control logic illustrated in FIGS. 9A and9B can run iteratively at a range of different intervals including everyminute, every five minutes, every 10 minutes, every 30 seconds, every 1second, anytime in between, or anytime beyond 10 minutes. The intervalat which the fresh air controller 300 can operate the logic can be setby the manufacturer, by the installer, by the user, by the manufacturer,or by the installer and can be modified by the user.

In fresh air control logic diagram depicted in FIG. 9A, steps 901, 915,925, 935, and 945 can correspond to steps 701, 715, 765, 775, and 785,respectively, described herein for FIG. 7. The fresh air controller 300can perform steps 901, 915, 925, 935, and 945 in substantially the samemanner as described above for steps 701, 715, 765, 775, and 785,respectively, with steps 915, 925, and 935 leading to step 945 orcontinuing in the logic sequence to, for example, to step 935, similarto steps 715, 765, and 775 leading to step 785 or continuing in thelogic sequence to, for example, step 775 as discussed herein.

In the fresh air control logic diagram depicted in FIG. 9B, steps 910,920, 930, 950, 960, and 962 can correspond to steps 710, 720, 760, 780,790, and 792, respectively, described herein for FIG. 7. The fresh aircontroller 300 can perform steps 920, 930, 960, and 962 in substantiallythe same manner as described above for steps 710, 720, 760, 790, and792, respectively, with steps 910 and 930 leading to step 962 orcontinuing in the logic sequence to, for example, to step 960, similarto steps 710 and 760 leading to step 792 or continuing in the logicsequence to, for example, step 790 as discussed herein. In FIGS. 9A and9B, the WHF off flow path 902 is connected by the circle annotated withreference alpha “A” indicating that the WHF off flow path 902 continuesbetween FIGS. 9A and 9B.

For the WHF off flow path 902, in some embodiments, as depicted in FIG.9B, after determining whether the outside air quality index value iswithin operating parameters in step 920, the fresh air controller 300can send a prompt or push notification, via the smart phone application220 and/or the user device 201, to the user if the air quality index isnot within operating parameters as discussed herein (for example, forstep 725), as shown in step 922. The prompt or push notification canquery the user at step 922 if the user would still like to turn on theWHF if the air quality is not within operating parameters. If the userindicates through one of the input devices discussed herein, includingthe smart phone application, that the user would still like to turn theWHF on, the fresh air controller 300 can proceed to the step 930 in theWHF off flow path 902. In some embodiments, if the user indicates theywould not like to turn the WHF on, the fresh air controller 300 canproceed to not turn on the WHF according to step 962. In someembodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can generate such a prompt orpush notification, asking the user if they want to continue, at any stepin the control logic performed by the fresh air controller 300.

After performing step 930 as discussed herein, for example, in referenceto step 760, in some embodiments, the fresh air control 300 candetermine in step 940 whether the automatic windows are set toautomatically open on the WHF off flow path 902. If the windows are notset to automatically open, the fresh air controller 300 can send aprompt or push notification, via the smart phone application 220 and/orthe user device 201 as discussed herein, to the user as shown in step942. The prompt or push notification can query the user whether the userwould like to open the automatic windows manually or automatically, asshown in step 942.

If the user indicates or provides a user input that the user would liketo open the windows manually, the fresh air controller 300 can send aprompt or push notification, via the smart phone application 220 and/orthe user device 201, to the user asking whether one or more windows areopen, as shown in step 954. If the user indicates there is a windowopen, in some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can send acommand signal to cause the WHF to turn on and adjust the WHF speedbased on the temperature inside the house as discussed herein (forexample at various speeds based on the inside temperature value asdiscussed herein for step 790), as shown in step 960. If the userindicates that there is not a window open, the fresh air controller 300may not send a command signal to turn on the WHF, as shown in step 962.

In some embodiments, if in response to the query of step 942, the userindicates they would like to open the windows automatically, the freshair controller, as part of step 944, can determine or receive one ormore signals indicating the number of automatic windows 228A-C connectedto the fresh air controller 300. If the fresh air controller 300determines or receives a signal indicating that one automatic window228A-C is connected the system 100 or otherwise operational, the freshair controller 300 can proceed to step 950 as discussed herein (forexample, as discussed herein for performing step 780).

If the fresh air controller 300 receives a signal indicating two or more(more than) one automatic windows 228A-C are connected to the system 100or otherwise operational, the fresh air controller 300, as part of step946, can cause a prompt or user notification that iterates through thetwo or more automatic windows to ask the user for each particularautomatic window if the user would like to have that particularautomatic window open automatically. For example, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a signal to cause a prompt for user to indicateif the user would like to open automatic window 228A, if the user wouldlike to open automatic window 228B, and/or if the user would like toopen automatic window 228C. If the user indicates that at least one ofthe automatic windows is to be opened automatically, the fresh aircontroller 300 sends a command signal to cause to open the particular(one or more) automatic window selected to be automatically opened andverifies that the particular (one or more) automatic window is open.After verification that the particular (one or more) window is open, thefresh air controller 300 can proceed to step 960 as discussed herein.

If the particular (one or more) window selected to be automaticallyopened is not verified to be open, the fresh air controller 300 cancause a prompt or user notification, via for example smart phoneapplication, indicating there was a problem opening the particular (oneor more) window. If none of the automatic windows are verified to beopen, the fresh air controller 300 can proceed to step 952 and cause aprompt or user notification asking the user if the user would like torun the WHF without automatic windows according to step 952 as discussedherein, proceeding to step 954 or step 962 depending the user's input asdiscussed herein.

If the user indicates that none of the one or more automatic windows228A-C are to be opened automatically in response to the iterative queryof step 946, the fresh air controller 300 can cause a prompt or usernotification, via for example the smart phone application, indicatingthat no windows were selected to be open and asking the user to manuallyopen one or more windows in the building structure. The fresh aircontroller 300 can proceed to step 954 and cause a prompt or usernotification asking the user if there is a window open in the buildingstructure according to step 954 as discussed herein, proceeding to step960 or step 962 depending the user's input as discussed herein.

Returning to step 940, if at step 940 the fresh air controller 300determines that the automatic windows are set to operate automatically,the fresh air controller 300 can proceed to the step 950 of the WHF offlogic flow path 902. At step 950, the fresh air controller 300 can senda command signal to cause the automatic windows to open and verify atleast one automatic window is open as discussed herein. If the fresh aircontroller 300 determines that at least one automatic window is open instep 950, in some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 9B, the fresh aircontroller can send a command signal to turn on the WHF and adjust theWHF speed according to step 960 as discussed herein.

If the fresh air controller 300 determines that at least one automaticwindow is not open in step 950, in some embodiments, as depicted in FIG.9B, the fresh air controller 300 can cause a push notification or promptnotifying the user which automatic window is not automatically openingvia the smart phone application 220 and/or the user device 201. If thefresh air controller 300 determines that at least one automatic windowis not open in step 950, in some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 9B,the fresh air controller 300 can cause a push notification or promptasking the user if they would like to run the WHF without automaticwindows, as shown in step 952, via the smart phone application 220and/or the user device 201. In some embodiments, the fresh aircontroller 300 can receive information indicating the user's answer orinput to the question of step 952 provided by the user through eitherthe smart phone application 220 and/or the user device 201.

If the user's answer or input to the query of step 952 indicates thatuser would not like to run the WHF without automatic windows, the freshair controller 300 can cause a push notification or prompt informing theuser there is an issue with one or more automatic windows and todiagnose the settings or issues for the one or more automatic windows.If the user's answer the query of step 952 indicates the user would liketo run the WHF without automatic windows, the fresh air controller 300can cause a push notification or prompt asking the user if there is anopen window in the building structure, as shown in step 954, via thesmart phone application 220 and/or the user device 201. The window thatis open according to step 954 can be an automatic window 228A-C asdiscussed herein or any other manual or traditional window in thebuilding structure. The fresh air controller 300 can receive informationindicating the user's answer or input to the question of query in step954 provided by the user through either the smart phone applicationand/or user device. If the user indicates at least one window is open inthe building structure, the fresh air controller 300 can send a commandsignal to cause the WHF to turn on and adjust the WHF's speed accordingto the inside temperature of the building structure as discussed herein,as shown in step 960. If the user indicates there is not at least onewindow open in the building structure, the fresh air controller 300 willnot turn on the WHF, as shown in step 962, and can cause a pushnotification or prompt through either the smart phone application 220and/or the user device 201 that the WHF will not turn on because thereare no windows open.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can generate and storea stored outside temperature value corresponding to the outside ambienttemperature value received by the fresh air controller 300 during thecurrent iteration of the logic flow path after completing the WHF offlogic flow path 902 and determining that the WHF should be turned onaccording to step 960 discussed herein. The stored outside temperaturevalue can correspond to a previous temperature value for use in thecontrol logic in any of the modes discussed herein. The previoustemperature value can be associated with a time period ago between thecurrent iteration of the logic flow path and the next time the fresh aircontroller 300 generates and stores a stored outside temperature valueas discussed herein. In some embodiments, the time period ago can be apredetermined time period ago, a previous time period, or apredetermined previous time period corresponding to a time when thefresh air controller 300 retained the stored/previous outsidetemperature value.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can delete or clearthe stored outside temperature value if, during the WHF on logic flowpath 903, the fresh air controller 300 determines the WHF should beturned off according to step 945 discussed herein.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 10 the fresh air cooling andventilating system 100 can be set to operate in a semi-automatic mode bya user with the system 100 not having or not being connected toautomatic windows such as, for example, automatic windows 228A-Cdiscussed herein, including when one or more of the automatic windowsare not working or functioning properly. The control logic illustratedin FIG. 10 can be implemented when the system 100 is initiated orcontrolled in the semi-automatic mode from the smart phone application220 and/or user device 201. The control logic illustrated in FIG. 10 canrun iteratively at a range of different intervals including everyminute, every five minutes, every 10 minutes, every 30 seconds, every 1second, anytime in between, or anytime beyond 10 minutes. The intervalat which the fresh air controller 300 can operate the logic can be setby the manufacturer, by the installer, by the user, by the manufacturer,or by the installer and can be modified by the user.

In fresh air control logic diagram depicted in FIG. 10, steps 1001,1015, 1025, and 1035 can correspond to steps 701, 715, 765, and 775,respectively, described above in FIG. 7. The fresh air controller 300can perform steps 1001, 1015, 1025, and 1035 in substantially the samemanner as described above for steps 701, 715, 765, and 775,respectively, with steps 1015, 1025, and 1035 leading to step 1045(without closing windows) or continuing in the logic sequence to, forexample, step 1035, similar to steps 715, 765, and 775 leading to step785 or continuing in the logic sequence to, for example, step 775 asdiscussed herein.

In the fresh air control logic diagram depicted in FIG. 10 steps 1010,1020, 1030, and 1040 can correspond to steps 710, 720, 790, and 792,respectively described above in FIG. 7. The fresh air controller 300 canperform steps 1010, 1020, 1030, and 1040 in substantially the samemanner as described above for steps 710, 720, 790, and 792,respectively, with steps 1010 and 1020 leading to step 1040 orcontinuing in the logic sequence to, for example, step 1030, similar tosteps 710 and 720 leading to step 792 or continuing in the logicsequence to, for example, step 790 as discussed herein.

For the WHF off logic flow path 1002, in some embodiments, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a command signal to cause the WHF to operate fora predetermined amount of time immediately after determining the attictemperature is within parameters for operation per step 1010. After theWHF runs for the predetermined amount of time, the fresh air controller300 may proceed to step 1020 to continue the control logic as discussedherein. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of time foroperation of the WHF can be 30 minutes. In some embodiments, thepredetermined amount of time for operation can be 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30,35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, or greater than 60 minutes.

As depicted in FIG. 10, some steps of the control logic for controllingthe system 100 have a similar first step 1001 to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 10, thefresh air controller 300 may check certain operating parameters afterdetermining the WHF is already running, as shown in step 1001, andfollowing the WHF on flow path 1003. For example, as depicted in FIG.10, in some embodiments the fresh air controller 300 may determinewhether the attic temperature is within operating parameters, as shownin step 1015, and whether the outside temperature has increased by morethan one degree Fahrenheit, as shown in step 1025. In some embodiments,as depicted in FIG. 10, after determining the attic temperature iswithin operating parameters, as shown in step 1015 and that the outsidetemperature has not increased by more than one degree Fahrenheit, thefresh air controller 300 can proceed to adjusting the WHF speed based onthe temperature inside the living space, as shown in step 1035. In someembodiments, as depicted in FIG. 10, after determining the attictemperature is not within operating parameters, as shown in step 1015,or that the outside temperature has increased by more than one degreeFahrenheit, the fresh air controller 300 can send a send acommand/operation signal to the whole house fan controller 200 to turnoff the WHF as shown in step 1045. In some embodiments, after turningoff the WHF, the fresh air controller 300 as shown in step 1027 candelete or clear the stored outside temperature value generated at theend of the WHF off flow path 1002, as described herein.

For the WHF off logic flow path 1002, in some embodiments, as depictedin FIG. 10, when determining whether the outside air quality index valueis within operating parameters, as shown in step 1020, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a push notification or prompt, via the smartphone application 220 and/or the user device 201, to the user if the airquality index is not within operating parameters as discussed herein(for example, for step 725), as shown in step 1022. The pushnotification or prompt can warn, alert, or inform the user that it isnot preferable to operate the WHF. After sending the push notificationor prompt notifying that it is not preferable to operate the WHF, thefresh air controller may proceed step 1024 to determine whether to turnthe WHF on based on the inside temperature. By providing for the WHF topossibly operate as discussed herein after step 1022, the user may beprovided with greater control over the system 100 and choice as to whento operate the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100, despite forexample, possibly an undesirable air quality index value as discussedherein.

For step 1024, if the fresh air controller determines the insidetemperature is less than a predetermined value and is already coolenough, the fresh air controller 300 may proceed to step 1040 and willnot turn on the WHF. If the fresh air controller 300 determines that theinside temperature is greater than the predetermined value, the freshair controller 300 can proceed to step 1030 and adjust the WHF speedbased on the inside temperature.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can determine whetherto turn the WHF on based on the first predetermined inside temperatureas discussed herein. For example, the first predetermined insidetemperature to which the fresh air controller 300 can compare the insidetemperature to is the lowest predetermined temperature. In someembodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can proceed to step 1040 tonot turn on the WHF when the inside temperature value is lower than thelowest predetermined inside temperature value. In some embodiments, thefresh air controller 300 can proceed to step 1030 to turn on the WHF andadjust the speed based on the inside temperature as discussed hereinwhen the inside temperature value is greater than the lowestpredetermined inside temperature value. In some embodiments, the firstpredetermined inside temperature can be the predetermined insidetemperature value for WHF operation discussed herein with reference tostep 760. In some embodiments, the predetermined inside temperaturevalues to which the inside temperature is compared to can be set by theuser utilizing the user device and/or smart phone application, or by themanufacturer or the system of the person installing the system or anycombination of the above. This can help to not turn on, activate, orkeep running the WHF if the building structure is already cooler thanthe user would like it to be.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 11 the fresh air cooling andventilating system 100 can be set to operate in a semi-automatic mode bya user with the system 100 not having or not being connected toautomatic windows such as, for example, automatic windows 228A-C asdiscussed herein, including when one or more of the automatic windowsare not working or functioning properly. The control logic illustratedin FIG. 11 can be implemented when the system 100 is initiated orcontrolled in the semi-automatic mode, in particular, from the smartphone application 220. The control logic illustrated in FIG. 11 can beimplemented when the system 100 is initiated or controlled in thesemi-automatic mode from the user device 201. The control logicillustrated in FIG. 11 can run iteratively at a range of differentintervals including every minute, every five minutes, every 10 minutes,every 30 seconds, every 1 second, anytime in between, or anytime beyond10 minutes. The interval at which the fresh air controller 300 canoperate the logic can be set by the manufacturer, by the installer, bythe user, by the manufacturer, or by the installer and can be modifiedby the user.

In fresh air control logic diagram depicted in FIG. 11, steps 1101,1115, 1125 and 1135 can correspond to steps 701, 715, 765, and 775,respectively, described herein for FIG. 7. The fresh air controller 300can perform steps 1101, 1115, 1125, and 1135 in substantially the samemanner as described above for steps 701, 715, 765, and 775,respectively, with steps 1115, 1125, and 1145 leading to step 1145(without closing windows) or continuing in the logic sequence to, forexample, step 1135, similar to steps 715, 765, and 775 leading to step785 as described herein or continuing in the logic sequence to, forexample, step 775 as discussed herein.

In the fresh air control logic diagram depicted in FIG. 11, steps 1110,1130, 1140, and 1150 can correspond to steps 710, 720, 790, and 792,respectively, described herein for FIG. 7. The fresh air controller 300can perform steps 1110, 1130, 1140, and 1150 in substantially the samemanner as described above for steps 710, 720, 790, and 792,respectively, with steps 1110 and 1130 leading to step 1150 orcontinuing in the logic sequence to, for example, step 1140, similar tosteps 710 and 720 leading to step 792 or continuing in the logicsequence to, for example, step 790 as discussed herein.

In the fresh air control logic diagram depicted in FIG. 11, step 1134can correspond to step 1024 described herein for FIG. 10. The fresh aircontroller 300 can perform step 1134 in substantially the same manner asdescribed above for step 1024, with step 1134 leading to step 1140 or1150 similar to step 1024 leading to step 1030 or 1040, respectively.

As depicted in FIG. 11, some steps of the control logic for controllingthe system 100 have a similar first step 1101 to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 11, thefresh air controller 300 may check certain operating parameters afterdetermining the WHF is already running, as shown in step 1101, andfollowing the WHF on flow path 1103. For example, as depicted in FIG.11, in some embodiments the fresh air controller 300 may determinewhether the attic temperature is within operating parameters, as shownin step 1115, and whether the outside temperature has increased by morethan one degree Fahrenheit, as shown in step 1125. In some embodiments,as depicted in FIG. 11, after determining the attic temperature iswithin operating parameters, as shown in step 1115 and that the outsidetemperature has not increased by more than one degree Fahrenheit, thefresh air controller 300 can proceed to adjusting the WHF speed based onthe temperature inside the living space, as shown in step 1135.Alternatively, in some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 11, afterdetermining the attic temperature is not within operating parameters, asshown in step 1115, or that the outside temperature has increased bymore than one degree Fahrenheit, the fresh air controller 300 can send asend a command/operation signal to the whole house fan controller 200 toturn off the WHF as shown in step 1145. In some embodiments, afterturning off the WHF, the fresh air controller 300 can, as shown in step1127 delete or clear the stored outside temperature value generated atthe end of the WHF off flow path 1102, as described herein.

On the WHF off logic flow path 1102, in some embodiments, as depicted inFIG. 11, after determining the attic temperature is within parametersfor operation, as shown in step 1110, the fresh air controller 300 cansend a push notification or prompt, via the smart phone application 220and/or the user device 201 asking the user whether there is a windowopen in the building structure, as shown in step 1120. If the userindicates there is not a window open, the fresh air controller 300 canproceed to step 1150 and not turn on the WHF. If the user indicatesthere is a window open in the building structure, the fresh aircontroller 300 can proceed to the step 1130 in the WHF off logic flowpath 1102.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 11, when determining whetherthe outside air quality index value is within operating parameters onthe WHF off flow path 1102, as shown in step 1130, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a push notification or prompt, via the smartphone application 220 and/or the user device 201, to the user if the airquality index is not within operating parameters as discussed herein(for example, for step 725), as shown in step 1132. The pushnotification or prompt can warn or inform the user that it is notpreferable to operate the WHF. The prompt or push notification can querythe user at step 1132 if the user would still like to still turn on theWHF if the air quality is not within operating parameters. If the userindicates through one of the input devices discussed herein, includingthe smart phone application, that the user would still like to turn theWHF on, the fresh air controller 300 can proceed to the step 1134 in theWHF off flow path 1102. In some embodiments, if the user indicates thatthey would not like to turn the WHF on, the fresh air controller 300 canproceed to not turn on the WHF according to step 1150. In someembodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can generate such a prompt orpush notification, asking the user if they want to continue, at any stepin the control logic performed by the fresh air controller 300. Byproviding for the WHF to possibly operate as discussed herein after step1132, the user may be provided with greater control over the system 100and choice as to when to operate the fresh air cooling and ventilatingsystem 100, despite for example, possibly an undesirable air qualityindex value as discussed herein.

In some embodiments, in the fresh air control diagram depicted in FIG.11, step 1132 can correspond to step 922, described above in FIG. 9B.The fresh air controller 300 can perform step 1132 in substantially thesame manner as described above for step 922 with step 1132 leading tostep 1150 or continuing in the logic sequence to, for example, step1140, similar to step 922 leading to step 962 or continuing in the logicto, for example, step 960.

In some embodiments, after turning on the system 100 and adjusting theWHF speed after completing an iteration of the WHF off logic path 1102,the fresh air controller 300 can store the stored outside temperaturevalue corresponding to the outside temperature the fresh air controllerreceived during the iteration of the WHF off logic path 1102.

In some embodiments, when semi-automatic mode is turned off manuallyeither from the user device 201, switch 432, and/or smart phoneapplication 220, the fresh air controller 300 can delete or clear thestored outside temperature value.

FIG. 12 depicts an embodiment of control logic for sending a pushnotification or prompt to the user to, for example, alert the user thatit may an ideal or desired time to operate the WHF 102. The fresh aircontroller 300 can cause a push notification or prompt to the smartphone application 220 and/or the user device 201. The control logicillustrated in FIG. 12 can run iteratively at a range of differentintervals including every minute, every five minutes, every 10 minutes,every 30 seconds, every 1 second, anytime in between, or anytime beyond10 minutes. The interval at which the fresh air controller 300 canoperate the logic can be set by the manufacturer, by the installer, bythe user, by the manufacturer, or by the installer and can be modifiedby the user.

Steps 1201, 1210, 1220, 1230, 1240, 1250, and 1260 of FIG. 12 cancorrespond to steps 701, 715, 725, 735, 745, 755, and 760, respectively,as described herein for FIG. 7. The fresh air controller 300 can performsteps 1201, 1210, 1220, 1230, 1240, 1250, and 1260 in substantially thesame manner as described above for steps 701, 715, 725, 735, 745, 755,and 760, respectively.

As depicted in FIG. 12 some embodiments of the push notification logicflow of the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100 have a similarfirst 1201 step to the embodiment of the control logic for controllingthe system 100 depicted in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, as depicted inFIG. 12, the fresh air controller 300 may check certain operatingparameters after determining the WHF 102 is not running. For example,after determining the WHF 102 is not running, the fresh air controller300 can determine whether the attic temperature is within the parametersfor operation as show in step 1210. The fresh air controller 300 candetermine whether the air quality index value is within parameters foroperation as shown in step 1220. If both the attic temperature and airquality index are within parameters for operation, the fresh aircontroller 300 can determine whether the outside humidity is withinparameters for operation as shown is step 1230 and determine whether thecurrent outside temp is within parameters for operation as shown in step1240. As shown in FIG. 12, in some embodiments, if both the outsidehumidity and the outside temperature are within parameters foroperation, the fresh air controller 300 can, for example, determinewhether the inside temperature is greater than the outside temperatureby comparing temperature values received for both the inside and outsidetemperatures as shown in step 1250. If the fresh air controller 300determines the inside temperature is greater than the outsidetemperature as shown in step 1250, the fresh air controller can proceedto the step 1260 in the push notification logic flow and determinewhether the inside temperature is greater than a predeterminedtemperature. If for each of steps 1210, 1220, 1230, and 1240 the freshair controller 300 determines the parameters are within the parametersfor operation, and the fresh air controller 300 determines the insidetemperature is great than the outside temperature as shown in step 1250and that the inside temperature is greater than a predetermined value asshown in step 1260, the fresh air controller 300 can send a pushnotification or prompt alerting the user that it is a desirable, ideal,or optimum time to run the WHF or system as shown in step 1270. The pushnotification or prompt can be sent to the smart phone application 220and/or the user device 201.

If at any of steps 1210, 1220, 1230, and 1240, the fresh air controller300 determines that the parameter is not within the operating parametersor if the fresh air controller 300 determines that the insidetemperature is not higher than the outside temperature as shown in step1250 or if the fresh air controller determines the inside temperature isbelow a predetermined temperature as shown in step 1260, the fresh aircontroller 300 can cancel the control logic, as shown in step 1202 and apush notification or prompt will not be sent to possibly operate the WHFor system. The fresh air controller 300 will also cancel the controllogic if the fresh air controller 300 determines the WHF 102 is alreadyrunning or operating as shown in step 1201.

The control logic and function of FIG. 12 ensures that the user can benotified when it is an ideal or desired time to use the system. Thus, ifthe system 100 is not operating in automatic mode, there is a greaterlikelihood that the user will utilize the fresh air cooling andventilating system 100 as opposed to an alternative system such as theair conditioning system to cool the building structure, possibleachieving more of the cost and health benefits associated with operatingthe system 100.

In some embodiments, steps 1201, 1210, 1220, 1230, 1240, 1250 and 1260can be reordered or removed. The fresh air controller 300 can operatethe push notification or prompt control logic in a variety of differentconfigurations performing only a select number of the steps shown inFIG. 12 before sending a push notification or prompt to the user. Forexample, in some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can performstep 1201, proceed to step 1250 skipping steps 1210, 1220, 1230, and1240, and then perform step 1270, skipping step 1260.

FIG. 13 depicts an embodiment of a diagram of control logic forcontrolling the operation of a ventilation fan 118 in a system 100 wherea ventilation fan 118 is part of the system as discussed herein. Thecontrol logic illustrated in FIG. 13 can run iteratively at a range ofdifferent intervals including every minute, every five minutes, every 10minutes, every 30 seconds, every 1 second, anytime in between, oranytime beyond 10 minutes. The interval at which the fresh aircontroller 300 can operate the logic can be set by the manufacturer, bythe installer, by the user, by the manufacturer, or by the installer andcan be modified by the user.

As described above, attic ventilation fans 118 can facilitation theexpulsion of air 120 from the attic space. While the motorized fan orwhole house fan 102 can expel air out of the attic space, the additionof ventilation fans 118 can increase the efficiency with which air ispushed out of the attic space thus allowing air from the living orinterior space to be more easily pulled into the attic by the WHF 102.In some embodiments, there can be one ventilation fan or there can bemultiple (one or more ventilation fans).

In some embodiments, the user can select whether or not the ventilationfan(s) 118 is utilized by the fresh air system 100 using the switch 432,user device 201, and/or smart phone application 220.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 13 at step 1301, the fresh aircontroller 300 can receive a signal from the whole house fan controller200 or the WHF 102 indicating whether or not the WHF 102 is turned on.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 13, the fresh air controller300 may take certain steps after determining the WHF 102 is turned offand following the WHF off logic flow path 1303. For example, the freshair controller 300 can check whether power venting has been turned on bythe user, as shown in step 1310. If power venting is turned off, thefresh air controller 300 can cancel the ventilation fan control logic.If the fresh air controller 300 determines power venting is turned on,the fresh air controller can proceed to the step 1330 in the WHF offlogic flow path 1303. The fresh air controller 300 can connect via awireless or wired connection (discussed herein such as Bluetooth) to theventilation fan 118 and/or ventilation fan controller 224, as show instep 1330, and send a command signal to turn off the ventilation fan118, as shown in step 1350. In some embodiments, the fresh aircontroller 300 can connect to the ventilation fan 118 and/or ventilationfan controller 224 through a wired connection, or through a Wi-Finetwork, or by any other connection means known to those of skill in theart. In some embodiments, the steps of 1330 and 1340 may be omitted inthe control logic if the system 100, including with the fresh aircontroller 300, maintains a connections with the ventilation fan whileperforming any of the control logic modes discussed herein.

As depicted in FIG. 13, in some embodiments, where the fresh aircontroller 300 receives a signal indicating the WHF 102 is currentlyoperating or turned on, the fresh air controller 300 can take certainsteps following the WHF on logic flow path 1302. The fresh aircontroller 300 can determine whether power venting is turned on, as showin step 1320. If the fresh air controller 300 determines power ventingis turned off, the fresh air controller 300 can cancel the controllogic, as show in step 1315 as described above. If the fresh aircontroller 300 determines that power venting is turned on, the fresh aircontroller 300 can connect via a wireless or wired connection (discussedherein such as Bluetooth) to the ventilation fan 118 and/or ventilationfan controller 224, as shown in step 1340, and send a command/operationsignal to the ventilation fan 118 and/or ventilation fan controller 224to turn on the ventilation fan, as shown in step 1360, and instructingthe ventilation fan to operate at a predetermined speed. In someembodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can connect to the ventilationfan through a wired connection, or through a Wi-Fi network, or by anyother connection means known to those of skill in the art.

The speed at which the ventilation fan operates can correspond to aspeed selected by the user or one set by either the manufacturer or theinstaller of the fresh air cooling and ventilating system 100.Alternatively, the fresh air controller 300 can send a command/operationsignal causing the ventilation fan controller 224 to operate theventilation fan 118 at different speeds. For example, in someembodiments the ventilation fan controller 224 or ventilation fan 118can operate at different speeds depending on the speed of the WHF 102.Alternatively, in some embodiments, the ventilation fan 118 can operateat different speeds depending on other variable or parameters discussedherein such as outside temperature and/or inside temperature.

FIG. 14 depicts an embodiment of a diagram of control logic forcontrolling the operation of the WHF 102 where a WHF 102 is part of thesystem 100 and where the system 100 is set to operate in eitherautomatic mode or semi-automatic mode. The fresh air controller 300 canrun the control logic of FIG. 14 iteratively at a range of differentintervals including every minute, every five minutes, every 10 minutes,every 30 seconds, every 1 second, anytime in between, or anytime beyond10 minutes. The interval at which the fresh air controller 300 canoperate the logic can be set by the manufacturer, by the installer, bythe user, by the manufacturer, or by the installer and can be modifiedby the user.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 14 at step 1404 the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a signal or command to the whole house fancontroller 200 to turn on the WHF in response to the user manuallyturning on the WHF using the switch 432, user device 201, and/or smartphone application 220, as depicted in step 1401. When the system 100 isset to run in semi-automatic or automatic mode after determiningparameters are within operating conditions as depicted in step 1402, thefresh air controller 300 can turn on the WHF.

In determining whether or not the parameters are within operatingconditions, as depicted in step 1402, the fresh air controller 300 canreceive values corresponding conditions inside and outside the buildingstructure and compare them to operating parameters as discussed herein.For example, the fresh air controller 300 can determine whether theattic temperature, Air Quality Index, outside humidity, current outsidetemperature, and inside temperature are all within operating parametersin the same manner as steps 710, 720, 730, 740, and 760, respectively ofFIG. 7 discussed herein. As part of step 1402, the fresh air controller300 can also determine whether the inside temperature is greater thanthe outside temperature in the same manner as step 750 of FIG. 7discussed herein.

As part of proceeding to step 1404, the fresh air controller canoptionally perform step 1408 to open and/or verify one or more windowsare open, for example, prior to proceeding to step 1404. The dashedlines linking steps 1408 to the rest of the control logic diagramdepicted in FIG. 14 indicate that step 1408 is additional logic orfeature that does not need to be performed by the fresh air controller300. Either upon manufacture/initial programming by the installer or byinput from the user, the system 100 can be configured to utilize step1408 of the control logic or configured not to do so. In someembodiments, the user can control whether step 1408 is performed byutilizing the switch 432, user device 201, and/or smart phoneapplication 220. Step 1408 can correspond to step 780 and can beperformed in the same manner as step 780 of FIG. 7.

After sending a signal or command to turn on the WHF 102, the fresh aircontroller can proceed to step 1416 and adjust the WHF speed based onthe temperature inside the building structure and/or the temperatureoutside the building structure. The adjustment of the WHF speed asdepicted is step 1416 can correspond to step 775 of FIG. 7 and step 1416can be performed in substantially the same manner as step 775.

In some embodiments, the adjustment of the WHF speed depicted in step1416 can be based on the temperature outside the building structure.Where the fresh air controller 300 adjusts the WHF speed based on thetemperature outside the building structure, the fresh air controller 300can compare the inside temperature value to a first, second, and thirdpredetermined outside temperature values. For example, if the outsidetemperature value is between the first and second predetermined outsidetemperature values, the fresh air controller 300 can send a commandsignal to operate the WHF 102 at a first speed. If the outsidetemperature value is between the second and third predetermined outsidetemperature values, the fresh air controller 300 can send a commandsignal to operate WHF 102 at a second speed. If the outside temperaturevalue is greater than the third predetermined outside temperature value,the fresh air controller 300 can send a command signal to operate theWHF 102 at a third speed.

In some embodiments, the first, second, and third WHF speeds correspondto a low, a medium, and a high speed, respectively. In some embodiments,the WHF is not limited to three speeds, but instead can have 1 speed, 2speeds, 4 speeds, 6 speeds, or any number of speeds. In someembodiments, the number of speeds corresponds to the number ofpredetermined values to which the fresh air controller 300 can comparethe outside temperature of the building structure such that, forexample, the number of speeds is equal to the number of predeterminedtemperature values.

In some embodiments, the first predetermined outside temperature towhich the fresh air controller 300 can compare the outside temperatureto is the lowest predetermined temperature. In some embodiments, thefresh air controller 300 can send a command signal to turn off the WHFand close the automatic windows when the outside temperature value islower than the lowest predetermined outside temperature value. In someembodiments, the predetermined outside temperature values to which theoutside temperature is compared to can be set by the user utilizing theuser device and/or smart phone application, or by the manufacturer orthe system of the person installing the system or any combination of theabove. This can help to not turn on, activate, or keep running the WHFif the building structure is already cooler than the user would like itto be.

As part of proceeding to step 1416, the fresh air controller canoptionally perform step 1412, for example, prior to proceeding to step1416. The dashed lines linking step 1412 to the rest of the controllogic diagram depicted in FIG. 14 indicate that step 1412 is additionallogic or feature that does not need to be performed by the fresh aircontroller 300. Either upon manufacture/initial programming by theinstaller or by input from the user, the system 100 can be configured toutilize step 1412 of the control logic or configured not to do so. Insome embodiments, the user can control whether step 1412 is performed byutilizing the switch 432, user device 201, and/or smart phoneapplication 220. Step 1412 can correspond to step 770 in FIG. 7 and canbe performed in the same manner as step 770.

After adjusting the WHF speed as depicted in step 1416, the fresh aircontroller 300 can determine whether to turn off the WHF 102 based onthe inside temperature of the building structure and/or the outsidetemperature of the building structure as depicted in step 1420. In orderto determine whether to turn off the WHF 102 the fresh air controllercan receive a value corresponding to the present air temperature outsidethe building structure. The fresh air controller can also store a valuecorresponding to the air temperature outside of the building structureat a previous time. For example, the previous time could be the time atwhich a previous iteration of the control logic was run or the outsidetemperature at the time the WHF 102 was turned on.

The fresh air controller 300 can compare the current outside temperaturevalue to the previous outside temperature value and send a command orsignal to cause the WHF 102 to turn off where the current outsidetemperature value is greater than the previous outside temperature valueby a predetermine value. The predetermined value can be preset by themanufacturer or set by the installer or set the use the switch 432, userdevice 201, and/or smart phone application 220. In some embodiments, instep 1420, the fresh air controller 300 can perform the followingcomparisons in addition or in place of the above described comparison.In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can perform anycombination of the comparisons described above and below in any order aspart of step 1420.

The fresh air controller 300 can compare the current inside temperaturevalue to the previous inside temperature value and send a command orsignal to cause the WHF 102 to turn off where the current insidetemperature value is greater than the previous inside temperature valueby a predetermine value. The predetermined value can be preset by themanufacturer or set by the installer or set the use the switch 432, userdevice 201, and/or smart phone application 220. In some embodiments, instep 1420, the fresh air controller 300 can perform the followingcomparisons in addition or in place of the above described comparison.In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can perform anycombination of the comparisons described above and below in any order aspart of step 1420.

In some embodiments, in step 1420, the fresh air controller 300 cancompare the current outside temperature to a predetermined maximumoutside temperature value. Where the outside temperature value isgreater than the predetermined maximum outside temperature value, thefresh air controller 300 can send a signal or command to turn off theWHF 102. The predetermined maximum outside temperature value can bepreset by the manufacturer or set by the installer or set the use theswitch 432, user device 201, and/or smart phone application 220.

In some embodiments, in step 1420, the fresh air controller 300 cancompare the current outside temperature value to a predetermined minimumoutside temperature value. The predetermined minimum outside temperaturevalue can correspond to the first predetermined temperature as discussedherein for outside temperatures. Where the outside temperature is lessthan the predetermined minimum outside temperature value, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a signal or command to turn off the WHF 102. Thepredetermined minimum temperature value can be preset by themanufacturer or set by the installer or set the use the switch 432, userdevice 201, and/or smart phone application 220.

In some embodiments, in step 1420, the fresh air controller 300 cancompare the current inside temperature value to a predetermined maximuminside temperature value. Where the inside temperature is greater thanthe predetermined maximum inside temperature value, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a signal or command to turn off the WHF 102. Thepredetermined maximum inside temperature value can be preset by themanufacturer or set by the installer or set the use the switch 432, userdevice 201, and/or smart phone application 220.

In some embodiments, in step 1420, the fresh air controller 300 cancompare the current inside temperature value to a predetermined minimuminside temperature value. The predetermined minimum inside temperaturevalue can correspond to the first predetermined temperature as discussedherein for inside temperatures. Where the inside temperature is lessthan the predetermined minimum inside temperature value, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a signal or command to turn off the WHF 102. Thepredetermined minimum inside temperature value can be preset by themanufacturer or set by the installer or set the use the switch 432, userdevice 201, and/or smart phone application 220.

In some embodiments, step 1420 can correspond to steps 745, 755, and 765of FIG. 7. The fresh air controller 300 can perform step 1420 insubstantially the same manner as described above for steps 745, 755, and765 with steps 745 and 755 leading to step 765. In some embodiments step1420 corresponds to only one of steps 745, 755, or 765. In someembodiments, step 1420 can correspond to any combination of steps 745,755, and 765.

Where the fresh air controller 300 determines the WHF 102 should not beturned off at step 1420, the fresh air controller can iteratively repeatsteps 1416 and 1420 until the fresh air controller 300 determines theWHF 102 should be turned off, as depicted in step 1414, or the usermanually turns off the WHF as depicted in step 1422. The user can turnoff the WHF utilizing the use the switch 432, user device 201, smartphone application 220.

Where the fresh air controller 300 determines the WHF 102 should beturned off (and in some embodiments, where the user manually turns offthe WHF), the fresh air controller 300 can send a signal or commandturning off the WHF 102. After or at the same time as sending a signalor command turning off the WHF 102 as depicted in step 1428, the freshair controller can optionally perform steps 1424 and/or 1432 (asdepicted by dashed lines in FIG. 14). Step 1424 can correspond to step785 and can be performed in the same manner as step 785 of FIG. 7. Asdepicted in step 1432 the fresh air controller 300 can send a signal orcommand to turn on a thermostat connected to the system 100 therebyallowing climate of the building structure to be conditioned by an airconditioning system instead of the fresh air system 100 when conditionsare not optimal or desired for the WHF operation.

FIG. 15 depicts an embodiment of a diagram of control logic forcontrolling the operation of the WHF 102 where a WHF 102 is part of thesystem 100 and where the system 100 is set to operate in a manual mode.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 15 step 1504, the fresh aircontroller can be configured to send a signal or command to open theautomatic windows 228A-C after receiving a signal that the user hasmanually turned on the fresh air system 100, as depicted in step 1501,through either the switch 432, user device 201, and/or smart phoneapplication 220. The user can also utilize the switch 432, user device201, and/or smart phone application 220 to set a timer such that thefresh air controller turns on the system after a set amount of time.Step 1504 corresponds to Step 780 of FIG. 7 and can be performed in thesame manner as step 780 of FIG. 7.

After sending a signal or command to open the automatic windows asdepicted in step 1504, the fresh air controller 300 can send a signal orcommand to cause to turn on the WHF 102 as depicted in step 1508. Thesystem will then wait for further input from either a timer set by theuser or from manual input by the user.

In some embodiments, the user can utilize the switch 432, user device201, and/or smart phone application 220 to set a timer such that thefresh air controller 300 turns off the system after a set amount of timeas depicted in step 1510. In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 15step 1516, after receiving a signal that the timer set by the user hasrun out, the fresh air controller 300 can send a signal or command toturn off the WHF 102. As depicted in step 1512, the fresh air controller300 can send a signal or command to turn off the WHF 102, when the userset the system 100 to off mode using the switch 432, user device 201,and/or smart phone application 220.

After sending a signal or command to turn off the WHF 102, the fresh aircontroller can send a signal or command to close the one or moreautomatic window connected to the system 100 as depicted in step 1520.Step 1520 can correspond to step 785 of FIG. 7 and can be performed inthe same manner as step 785.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can adjust the WHFspeed based operation or operational time of the WHF 102. The operationtime can correspond to how long the WHF 102 has been working whetherturned on by a user or automatically activated in any of the modesdiscussed herein. The fresh air controller 300 can track an operationtime of the WHF 102 operating or receive time data associated with theoperation time of the WHF 102 operating. For example, the fresh aircontroller 300 can have a clock or timer module that keeps track of howlong the WHF 102 has been operating. The fresh air controller 300 canreceive time data associated with time via internet services anddetermine operation time based on the time data.

With the fresh air controller 300 adjusting the WHF speed based on theoperation time, the fresh air controller 300 can compare the operationtime or a value corresponding to the operation time of the WHF 102 to afirst, second, and third predetermined time values. For example, if theoperation time is less than the first predetermined time, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a command signal to operate the WHF 102 at afirst speed. If the operation time value is between the first and secondpredetermined time values, the fresh air controller 300 can send acommand signal to operate the WHF 102 at a second speed. If theoperation time value is between the second and third predeterminedoperation time values, the fresh air controller 300 can send a commandsignal to operate WHF 102 at a third speed. If the operation time valueis greater than the third predetermined operation value, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a command signal to cease or suspend operationof the WHF 102.

In some embodiments, the first, second, and third WHF speeds correspondto a high, a medium, and a low speed, respectively, and in particular asdiscussed above for operation of the WHF 102 based on operation time. Insome embodiments, the WHF 102 is not limited to three speeds, butinstead can have 1 speed, 2 speeds, 4 speeds, 6 speeds, or any number ofspeeds. In some embodiments, the number of speeds corresponds to thenumber of predetermined values to which the fresh air controller 300 cancompare the operation time such that, for example, the number of speedsis equal to the number of predetermined operation time values.

In some embodiments, the first predetermined time value can be between 1minute to 8 hours, 2 minutes to 6 hours, 3 minutes to 4 hours, 5 minutesto 2 hours, including any time between 1 minute to 8 hours. The secondpredetermined time value can be between 10 minutes to 10 hours, 15minutes to 8 hours, 20 minutes to 6 hours, 30 minutes to 4 hours,including any time between 10 minutes to 10 hours. The secondpredetermined time value can be between 30 minutes to 12 hours, 45minutes to 10 hours, 1 hour to 8 hours, 2 hours to 6 hours, includingany time between 30 minutes to 12 hours.

FIG. 16 depicts an embodiment of a diagram of control logic forcontrolling the operation of the WHF 102 where a WHF 102 is part of thesystem 100 and where the system 100 is set to operate in eitherautomatic mode or semi-automatic mode. The control logic illustrated inFIG. 16 can run iteratively at a range of different intervals includingevery minute, every five minutes, every 10 minutes, every 30 seconds,every 1 second, anytime in between, or anytime beyond 10 minutes. Theinterval at which the fresh air controller 300 can operate the logic canbe set by the manufacturer, by the installer, by the user, by themanufacturer, or by the installer and can be modified by the user.

In some embodiments, as depicted in step 1604 of FIG. 16, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a command or signal to open the automaticwindows 228A-C after determining whether to turn on the WHF 102 based onthe temperature inside the building structure and/or the temperatureoutside the building structure as depicted in step 1602. In order todetermine whether to operate the WHF, as depicted in step 1602, thefresh air controller 300 can receive temperature values corresponding tothe temperature inside the building structure and/or outside thebuilding structure. The fresh air controller 300 can send a signal orcommand to turn on the WHF if the inside temperature is great than theoutside temperature. In some embodiments, as part of step 1602, thefresh air controller 300 can determine whether the inside temperature iswithin parameters for operation in a same manner as described in step760 of FIG. 7 herein. In some embodiments, as part of step 1602, thefresh air controller 300 can determine whether the outside temperatureis within parameters for operation in a same manner as described in step740 of FIG. 7 herein. Step 1616 can correspond to Step 780 of FIG. 7 andcan be performed in the same manner as step 780 of FIG. 7.

In some embodiments, in step 1602, the fresh air controller 300 cancompare the current outside temperature to a predetermined maximumoutside temperature value. Where the outside temperature value is lessthan the predetermined maximum outside temperature value, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a signal or command to turn on the WHF 102. Thepredetermined maximum outside temperature value can be preset by themanufacturer or set by the installer or set the use the switch 432, userdevice 201, and/or smart phone application 220.

In some embodiments, in step 1602, the fresh air controller 300 cancompare the current outside temperature value to a predetermined minimumoutside temperature value. The predetermined minimum outside temperaturevalue can correspond to the first predetermined temperature as discussedherein for outside temperatures. Where the outside temperature isgreater than the predetermined minimum outside temperature value, thefresh air controller 300 can send a signal or command to turn on the WHF102. The predetermined minimum temperature value can be preset by themanufacturer or set by the installer or set the use the switch 432, userdevice 201, and/or smart phone application 220.

In some embodiments, in step 1602, the fresh air controller 300 cancompare the current inside temperature value to a predetermined maximuminside temperature value. Where the inside temperature is less than thepredetermined maximum inside temperature value, the fresh air controller300 can send a signal or command to turn on the WHF 102. Thepredetermined maximum inside temperature value can be preset by themanufacturer or set by the installer or set the use the switch 432, userdevice 201, and/or smart phone application 220.

In some embodiments, in step 1602, the fresh air controller 300 cancompare the current inside temperature value to a predetermined minimuminside temperature value. The predetermined minimum inside temperaturevalue can correspond to the first predetermined temperature as discussedherein for inside temperatures. Where the inside temperature is greaterthan the predetermined minimum inside temperature value, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a signal or command to turn on the WHF 102. Thepredetermined minimum inside temperature value can be preset by themanufacturer or set by the installer or set the use the switch 432, userdevice 201, and/or smart phone application 220.

In some embodiments, as depicted in step 1616 of FIG. 16, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a command or signal to turn on the WHF 102 aftersending a signal or command to open the automatic windows 228A-C asdepicted in step 1604.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can perform step 1608,step 1612, or both step 1608 and step 1612 in addition to step 1616. Thedashed lines linking steps 1608 and 1612 to the rest of the controllogic diagram depicted in FIG. 16 indicate that steps 1608 and 1612 areadditional logic or feature that does not need to be performed by thefresh air controller 300. Either upon manufacture/initial programming bythe installer or by input from the user, the system 100 can beconfigured to utilize steps 1608 or 1612 of the control logic orconfigured not to do so. In some embodiments, the user can controlwhether steps 1608 and 1612 are performed by utilizing the switch 432,user device 201, and/or smart phone application 220. Step 1608 cancorrespond to step 1416 and can be performed in the same manner as step1416 of FIG. 14 described herein. Similarly, step 1612 corresponds tostep 770 in FIG. 7 and can be performed in the same manner as step 770described herein.

After opening the one or more automatic windows 228A-C connected to thesystem in step 1616 and, in some embodiments, performing steps 1608 and1612, the fresh air controller can proceed to determine whether to turnoff the WHF based the temperature inside the building structure and/oroutside the building structure as depicted in step 1620. Step 1620 cancorrespond to step 1420 of FIG. 14. The fresh air controller 300 canperform step 1620 in substantially the same manner as described abovefor step 1420.

Where the fresh air controller determines the WHF 102 should not beturned off at step 1620, the fresh air controller can iteratively repeatstep 1620 until the fresh air controller 300 determines the WHF 102should be turned off. Where the control logic of FIG. 16 includes theoptional step 1608 and where the fresh air controller determines the WHF102 should not be turned off at step 1620, the fresh air controller caniteratively repeat steps 1608 and 1620 until the fresh air controller300 determines the WHF 102 should be turned off.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can perform step 1626in addition to step 1620. The dashed lines linking steps 1626 to therest of the control logic diagram depicted in FIG. 16 indicate that step1626 is additional logic or feature that does not need to be performedby the fresh air controller 300. Either upon manufacture/initialprogramming or by input from the user, the system 100 can be configuredto utilize step 1626 of the control logic or configured not to do so. Insome embodiments, the user can control whether step 1626 is performed byutilizing the switch 432, user device 201, and/or smart phoneapplication 220. Step 1626 can correspond to step 725 and can beperformed in the same manner as step 725 of FIG. 7 described herein.

If the fresh air controller 300 determines the WHF 102 should be turnedoff based on the temperature inside and/or outside the buildingstructure in step 1620 and/or based on the air quality index in step1626, the fresh air controller 300 can send a signal or command turningoff the WHF 102 as depicted in step 1624. After sending a signal orcommand to turn off the WHF 102, the fresh air controller 300 can send asignal or command to close the one or more automatic windows. Inaddition to performing step 1628, the fresh air controller 300, aftersending a signal or command to turn of the WHF 102 in step 1624, cansend signal or command to turn on a thermostat connected to the system100 as depicted in step 1632 thereby allowing climate of the buildingstructure to be conditioned by an air conditioning system instead of thefresh air system 100 when conditions are not optimal for the WHFoperation. The dashed lines linking step 1632 to the rest of the controllogic diagram depicted in FIG. 16 indicate that step 1632 is additionallogic or feature that does not need to be performed by the fresh aircontroller 300. Either upon manufacture/initial programming by theinstaller or by input from the user, the system 100 can be configured toutilize step 1632 of the control logic or configured not to do so. Insome embodiments, the user can control whether or not step 1632 isperformed by utilizing the switch 432, user device 201, and/or smartphone application 220.

FIG. 17 depicts an embodiment of a diagram of control logic forcontrolling the operation of the WHF 102 where a WHF 102 is part of thesystem 100 and where the system 100 monitors the air quality index (AQI)values as discussed herein to reduce undesired air pollutants inside thebuilding structure by bringing in fresh air. The fresh air controller300 can run the control logic of FIG. 17 iteratively at a range ofdifferent intervals including every minute, every five minutes, every 10minutes, every 30 seconds, every 1 second, anytime in between, oranytime beyond 10 minutes. The interval at which the fresh aircontroller 300 can operate the logic can be set by the manufacturer, bythe installer, by the user, by the manufacturer, or by the installer andcan be modified by the user.

The fresh air controller 300 can monitor the AQI values, information,and/or signals that are received from climate condition systems 217,internet, and/or sensors 230 as discussed herein. At step 1701, thefresh air controller 300 can determine whether AQI values inside thebuilding structure are greater than the desired or predeterminedthreshold or range (e.g., beyond or outside of a desired condition orpredetermined range). For example, one or more sensors 230 can monitorwhether volatile organic compound (VOC) gases, carbon dioxide, carbonmonoxide, smoke, particulates, and/or pollen in the building structure106 (including attic space 104 and/or interior space 108) exceed or aregreater than the desired levels or predetermined thresholds. Upondetermining that the one or more AQI values exceed the predeterminedlevels, the fresh air controller 300 can send a push notification 216 atstep 1702 to the user as discussed herein to alert the user that of theAQI value and associated information about the AQI level being greaterthan the predetermined levels, and/or the fresh air controller 300 canturn on the WHF as discussed herein to remove the undesired airpollutants inside the building structure (e.g., when AQI levels are highor above predetermined thresholds) by bringing in fresh air. Thepredetermined thresholds for AQI can be set by the manufacturer, by theinstaller, by the user, by the manufacturer, or by the installer and canbe modified by the user.

In some embodiments, the fresh controller 300 can be programmed to notmonitor or send command signals in response to carbon dioxide levels.High or undesirable carbon dioxide levels may indicate a fire inside thebuilding structure. Turning on the WHF may further fuel and expand thefire. Accordingly, it may be undesirable to have the fresh aircontroller turn on WHF. In some embodiments, however, the fresh aircontroller 300 can monitor carbon dioxide levels inside the buildingstructure. When carbon dioxide levels are above a predetermined range orthreshold, the fresh air controller 300 can turn off the WHF for safetyin case a fire is present inside the building structure and/or send apush notification 216 to the user alerting the user of the carbondioxide levels exceeding a predetermined threshold.

In some embodiments, as part of step 1701, the fresh air controller 300can compare inside AQI values to outside AQI values to determine whetherto turn on the WHF. For example, even when inside AQI values our greaterthan the predetermined levels, if outside AQI values are greater by alarger amount or value of the predetermined levels, the fresh aircontroller 300 can determine to not turn on the WHF and/or not send apush notification 216 to the user regarding the AQI levels. The freshair controller can determine and compare inside to outside AQI valuesusing signal and value inputs from the climate condition system 217, airconditioning system 215, and/or one or more sensors 230 as discussedherein.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 17 at step 1704, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a signal or command to the whole house fancontroller 200 to turn on the WHF in response to the user manuallyturning on the WHF using the switch 432, user device 201, and/or smartphone application 220, as depicted in step 1704. When the system 100 isset to run in semi-automatic or automatic mode, after determining theAQI levels exceed the predetermined threshold as depicted in step 1701,the fresh air controller 300 can turn on the WHF as depicted in the step1704. In determining whether the AQI levels exceed the predeterminedthreshold as depicted in step 1701, the fresh air controller 300 canreceive values corresponding conditions inside and outside the buildingstructure and compare them to AQI parameters such as thresholds asdiscussed herein.

As part of proceeding to step 1704, the fresh air controller canoptionally perform step 1708 to open and/or verify one or more windowsare open, for example, prior to proceeding to step 1704. The dashedlines linking steps 1708 to the rest of the control logic diagramdepicted in FIG. 17 indicate that step 1708 is additional logic orfeature that does not need to be performed by the fresh air controller300. Either upon manufacture/initial programming by the installer or byinput from the user, the system 100 can be configured to utilize step1708 of the control logic or configured not to do so. In someembodiments, the user can control whether step 1708 is performed byutilizing the switch 432, user device 201, and/or smart phoneapplication 220. Step 1708 can correspond to step 780 and can beperformed in the same manner as step 780 of FIG. 7 using AQI values andthresholds as discussed herein to determine whether to open one or morewindows and/or verify whether one or more windows are open.

After sending a signal or command to turn on the WHF 102, the fresh aircontroller can optionally perform step 1712, for example, prior toproceeding to step 1720. The dashed lines linking step 1712 to the restof the control logic diagram depicted in FIG. 17 indicate that step 1712is additional logic or feature that does not need to be performed by thefresh air controller 300. Either upon manufacture/initial programming bythe installer or by input from the user, the system 100 can beconfigured to utilize step 1712 of the control logic or configured notto do so. In some embodiments, the user can control whether step 1712 isperformed by utilizing the switch 432, user device 201, and/or smartphone application 220. Step 1712 can correspond to step 770 in FIG. 7and can be performed in the same manner as step 770.

After sending a signal or command to turn on the WHF 102, the fresh aircontroller can optionally proceed to step 1716 (as depicted by dashedlines FIG. 17) and adjust the WHF speed based on the AQI values insidethe building structure and/or the AQI values outside the buildingstructure. The adjustment of the WHF speed as depicted is step 1716 cancorrespond to step 775 of FIG. 7 and step 1716 can be performed insubstantially the same manner as step 775 using AQI values andcomparisons thereof. The dashed lines linking step 1716 to the rest ofthe control logic diagram depicted in FIG. 17 indicate that step 1716 isadditional logic or feature that does not need to be performed by thefresh air controller 300. Either upon manufacture/initial programming bythe installer or by input from the user, the system 100 can beconfigured to utilize step 1716 of the control logic or configured notto do so. In some embodiments, the user can control whether step 1716 isperformed by utilizing the switch 432, user device 201, and/or smartphone application 220. Step 1716 can correspond to step 775 in FIG. 7and can be performed in the same manner as step 775.

In some embodiments, the adjustment of the WHF speed depicted in step1716 can be based on the AQI values inside and/or outside the buildingstructure. Where the fresh air controller 300 adjusts the WHF speedbased on the AQI values inside the building structure, the fresh aircontroller 300 can compare the AQI values to a first, second, and thirdpredetermined AQI values. For example, if the AQI values is between afirst and second predetermined AQI values, the fresh air controller 300can send a command signal to operate the WHF 102 at a first speed. Ifthe AQI value is between a second and third predetermined AQI values,the fresh air controller 300 can send a command signal to operate WHF102 at a second speed. If the AQI value is greater than the thirdpredetermined AQI values, the fresh air controller 300 can send acommand signal to operate the WHF 102 at a third speed.

In some embodiments, the first, second, and third WHF speeds correspondto a low, a medium, and a high speed, respectively. In some embodiments,the WHF is not limited to three speeds, but instead can have 1 speed, 2speeds, 4 speeds, 6 speeds, or any number of speeds. In someembodiments, the number of speeds corresponds to the number ofpredetermined values to which the fresh air controller 300 can comparethe AQI values inside the building structure such that, for example, thenumber of speeds is equal to the number of predetermined AQI values.

In some embodiments, the fresh air controller 300 can proceed to step1720 directly after step 1704. In some embodiments, the fresh aircontroller can optionally perform steps 1712 and/or 1716 as discussedherein. In step 1720, the fresh air controller can determine whether toturn off the WHF 102 based on the inside AQI values of the buildingstructure and/or the outside AQI of the building structure. In order todetermine whether to turn off the WHF 102 the fresh air controller canreceive a value corresponding to the present air AQI. The fresh aircontroller can also store a value corresponding to the air AQI at aprevious time. For example, the previous time could be the time at whicha previous iteration of the control logic was run or the outside AQI atthe time the WHF 102 was turned on.

The fresh air controller 300 can monitor the AQI values, information,and/or signals that are received from the Internet, climate conditionsystems 217, and/or sensors 230 as discussed herein. At step 1720, thefresh air controller 300 can determine whether inside and/or outside AQIvalues are less than the desired or predetermined threshold or range(e.g., beyond a desired condition or predetermined range) as discussedherein for step 1701, but upon determining that the inside and/oroutside AQI values are within desired ranges, the fresh air controller300 can send a push notification to the user and/or turn off the WHF.

For example, the fresh air controller 300 can determine whether AQIvalues inside the building structure are less than the desired orpredetermined threshold or range (e.g., within a desired condition orpredetermined range). One or more sensors 230 can monitor whethervolatile organic compound (VOC) gases, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide,smoke, particulates, and/or pollen in the building structure 106(including attic space 104 and/or interior space 108) are within or lessthan the desired levels or predetermined thresholds. Upon determiningthat the AQI values within the predetermined levels, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a push notification 216 at step 1721 to the useras discussed herein regarding the AQI value and associated informationalerting the user that the AQI levels are within the predeterminedlevels and/or the fresh air controller 300 can turn off the WHF asdiscussed herein.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 17 at step 1720, the fresh aircontroller 300 can send a signal or command to the whole house fancontroller 200 to turn off the WHF in response to the user manuallyturning off the WHF using the switch 432, user device 201, and/or smartphone application 220, as depicted in step 1728. When the system 100 isset to run in semi-automatic or automatic mode, after determiningparameters are the AQI levels are within or less than the predeterminedthreshold as depicted in step 1720, the fresh air controller 300 canturn off the WHF as depicted in step 1728. In determining whether theAQI levels are within the predetermined threshold as depicted in step1720, the fresh air controller 300 can receive values correspondingconditions inside and outside the building structure and compare them toAQI parameters or thresholds as discussed herein. The fresh aircontroller 300 can perform similar logic and control steps as discussedherein for outside AQI values or comparison of inside to outside AQIvalues as discussed herein for step 1701, but turning off the WHF whenthe AQI levels are less than or within predetermined levels orthresholds.

In the automatic or semi-automatic mode, where the fresh air controller300 determines the WHF 102 should not be turned off at step 1720, thefresh air controller can iteratively repeat steps 1720 until the freshair controller 300 determines the WHF 102 should be turned off, asdepicted in step 1714, or the user manually turns off the WHF asdepicted in step 1722. The user can manually turn off the WHF utilizingthe use the switch 432, user device 201, and/or smart phone application220.

Where the fresh air controller 300 determines the WHF 102 should beturned off (and in some embodiments, where the user manually turns offthe WHF), the fresh air controller 300 can send a signal or commandturning off the WHF 102. After or at the same time as sending a signalor command turning off the WHF 102 as depicted in step 1728, the freshair controller can optionally perform steps 1724 and/or 1732 (asdepicted by dashed lines FIG. 17). Step 1724 can correspond to step 785and can be performed in the same manner as step 785 of FIG. 7. Asdepicted in step 1732 the fresh air controller 300 can send a signal orcommand to turn on a thermostat connected to the system 100 therebyallowing climate of the building structure to be conditioned by an airconditioning system instead of the fresh air system 100, for example,when conditions are not optimal or desired for the WHF operation asdiscussed herein.

Depending on the embodiment, certain acts, events, or functions of anyof the processes or algorithms described herein can be performed in adifferent sequence, can be added, merged, or left out altogether (e.g.,not all described operations or events are necessary for the practice ofthe algorithm). Moreover, in certain embodiments, operations or eventscan be performed concurrently, e.g., through multi-threaded processing,interrupt processing, or multiple processors or processor cores or onother parallel architectures, rather than sequentially.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, routines, userinterfaces, and algorithm steps described in connection with theembodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware,or combinations of electronic hardware and computer software. Toillustrate this interchangeability, various illustrative components,blocks, modules, and steps have been described above generally in termsof their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented ashardware, or as software that runs on hardware, depends upon theparticular application and design constraints imposed on the overallsystem. The described functionality can be implemented in varying waysfor each particular application, but such implementation decisionsshould not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of thedisclosure.

Moreover, the various illustrative logical blocks, user interfaces, andmodules described in connection with the embodiments disclosed hereincan be implemented or performed by a machine, such as a general purposeprocessor device, a digital signal processor (DSP), an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array(FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. A processor device can be amicroprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor device can be acontroller, microcontroller, or state machine, combinations of the same,or the like. A processor device can include electrical circuitryconfigured to process computer-executable instructions. In anotherembodiment, a processor device includes an FPGA or other programmabledevice that performs logic operations without processingcomputer-executable instructions. A processor device can also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration. Although described herein primarily with respect todigital technology, a processor device may also include primarily analogcomponents. For example, some or all of the algorithms described hereinmay be implemented in analog circuitry or mixed analog and digitalcircuitry. A computing environment can include any type of computersystem, including, but not limited to, a computer system based on amicroprocessor, a mainframe computer, a digital signal processor, aportable computing device, a device controller, or a computationalengine within an appliance, to name a few.

The elements of a method, process, routine, or algorithm described inconnection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodieddirectly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processordevice (controller), or in a combination of the two, that command,control, or cause the system(s) and associated components describedherein to perform one or more functions or features of the method,process, routine, or algorithm. A software module can reside in RAMmemory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory,registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium. An exemplary storagemedium can be coupled to the processor device such that the processordevice can read information from, and write information to, the storagemedium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to theprocessor device. The processor device and the storage medium can residein an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. In the alternative,the processor device and the storage medium can reside as discretecomponents in a user terminal.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the presentdisclosure has shown, described and pointed out the fundamental novelfeatures of the inventions. The various devices, methods, procedures andtechniques described above provide a number of ways to carry out thedescribed embodiments and arrangements. Of course, it is to beunderstood that not necessarily all features, objectives or advantagesdescribed are required and/or achieved in accordance with any particularembodiment described herein. Also, although the invention has beendisclosed in the context of certain embodiments, arrangements andexamples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that theinvention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to otheralternative embodiments, combinations, sub-combinations and/or uses andobvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Accordingly, theinvention is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures ofthe embodiments herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multifunction whole house fan system for use ina building structure having an attic and an interior space, the systemcomprising: a whole house fan configured to be positioned in the atticof the building structure, the whole house fan having an air flowcapacity within a range of 500 to 8000 cubic feet per minute, the wholehouse fan configured to expel an exhaust of the whole house fan into theattic from the interior space to create a positive static pressure inthe attic to cause air in the attic to be pushed out through one or morevents in the attic and inhibit outside air from being drawn into theattic through the one or more vents; a motorized window configured to bepositioned at the interior space, the motorized window configured toautomatically open to permit ambient air to enter the interior space andto automatically close to inhibit ambient air from entering the interiorspace; and a fresh air controller configured to receive data associatedwith an outside temperature value corresponding to ambient temperaturearound the building structure, the fresh air controller configured toretrieve a previous outside temperature value corresponding to ambienttemperature around the building structure from a predetermined previoustime period, the fresh air controller configured to control operation ofthe whole house fan and the motorized window, the fresh air controllerconfigured to: compare the outside temperature value to a predeterminedmaximum outside temperature value; based on a comparison being that theoutside temperature value is less than the predetermined maximum outsidetemperature value: cause the motorized window to open to permit ambientair to enter the interior space; and cause the whole house fan tooperate to draw air into the attic from the interior space and to drawambient air into the interior space through the motorized window as theair is drawn into the attic from the interior space; and compare theoutside temperature value to the previous outside temperature value;based on a comparison being that the outside temperature value isgreater than the previous outside temperature value by a predeterminedvalue: cause the whole house fan to suspend operation; and cause themotorized window to close to inhibit ambient air from entering theinterior space.
 2. The multifunction whole house fan system of claim 1,wherein the fresh air controller is configured to be in communicationwith a thermostat controller, the thermostat controller configured tocontrol operation of an air conditioning system of the buildingstructure, and wherein the fresh air controller is configured to: basedon the comparison being that the outside temperature value is less thanthe predetermined maximum outside temperature value, send a ceaseoperation command to the thermostat controller for the thermostatcontroller to suspend operation of the air conditioning system; andbased on the comparison being that the outside temperature value isgreater than the previous outside temperature value by the predeterminedvalue, send a resume or continue operation command to the thermostatcontroller for the thermostat controller to resume or continue operationof the air conditioning system.
 3. The multifunction whole house fansystem of claim 2, wherein the fresh air controller and the thermostatcontroller are included in a same control unit that is configured tocontrol the multifunction whole house fan system.
 4. The multifunctionwhole house fan system of claim 3, wherein the fresh air controllercomprises the thermostat controller.
 5. The multifunction whole housefan system of claim 1, wherein the fresh air controller is configured toadjust speed of the whole house fan based on the outside temperaturevalue, the fresh air controller configured to: compare the outsidetemperature value to a first predetermined temperature, a secondpredetermined temperature, and a third predetermined temperature,wherein the first predetermined temperature is less than the secondpredetermined temperature, and the second predetermined temperature isless the third predetermined temperature; based on a comparison beingthat the outside temperature value is between the first predeterminedtemperature and the second predetermined temperature, cause the wholehouse fan to operate at a first speed; based on a comparison being thatthe outside temperature value is between the second predeterminedtemperature and the third predetermined temperature, cause the wholehouse fan to operate at a second speed, the second speed being greaterthan the first speed; and based on a comparison being that the outsidetemperature value is greater than the third predetermined temperature,cause the whole house fan to operate at a third speed, the third speedbeing greater than the second speed.
 6. The multifunction whole housefan system of claim 5, wherein the fresh air controller is configured,based on a comparison being that the outside temperature value is lessthan the first predetermined temperature, to: cause the whole house fanto suspend operation; and cause the motorized window to close to inhibitambient air from entering the interior space.
 7. The multifunction wholehouse fan system of claim 1, wherein the fresh air controller isconfigured to receive data associated with an air quality index valuecorresponding to an air quality index of ambient air around the buildingstructure, the fresh air controller configured to: compare the airquality index value with a predetermined air quality index value; andbased on a comparison being that the air quality index value is greaterthan the predetermined air quality index value, cause the whole housefan to suspend operation.
 8. A multifunction whole house fan system foruse in a building structure having an attic and an interior space, thesystem comprising: a whole house fan configured to be positioned in theattic of the building structure, the whole house fan having an air flowcapacity within a range of 500 to 8000 cubic feet per minute, the wholehouse fan configured to expel an exhaust of the whole house fan into theattic from the interior space to create a positive static pressure inthe attic to cause air in the attic to be pushed out through one or morevents in the attic and inhibit outside air from being drawn into theattic through the one or more vents; a motorized window configured to bepositioned at the interior space, the motorized window configured toautomatically open to permit ambient air to enter the interior space andto automatically close to inhibit ambient air from entering the interiorspace; and a fresh air controller configured to receive data associatedwith an inside temperature value corresponding to corresponding totemperature in the interior space, the fresh air controller configuredto retrieve a previous inside temperature value corresponding totemperature in the interior space from a predetermined previous timeperiod, the fresh air controller configured to control operation of thewhole house fan and the motorized window, the fresh air controllerconfigured to: compare the inside temperature value to a firstpredetermined inside temperature value; based on a comparison being thatthe inside temperature value is greater than the first predeterminedinside temperature value: cause the motorized window to open to permitambient air to enter the interior space; and cause the whole house fanto operate to draw air into the attic from the interior space and todraw ambient air into the interior space through the motorized window asthe air is drawn into the attic from the interior space; and compare theinside temperature value to the previous inside temperature value; basedon a comparison being that the inside temperature value is greater thanthe previous inside temperature value by a predetermined value: causethe whole house fan to suspend operation; and cause the motorized windowto close to inhibit ambient air from entering the interior space.
 9. Themultifunction whole house fan system of claim 8, wherein the fresh aircontroller is configured to be in communication with a thermostatcontroller, the thermostat controller configured to control operation ofan air conditioning system of the building structure, and wherein thefresh air controller is configured to: based on the comparison beingthat the inside temperature value is greater than the firstpredetermined inside temperature value, send a cease operation commandto the thermostat controller for the thermostat controller to suspendoperation of the air conditioning system; and based on the comparisonbeing that the inside temperature value is greater than the previousinside temperature value by the predetermined value, send a resume orcontinue operation command to the thermostat controller for thethermostat controller to resume or continue operation of the airconditioning system.
 10. The multifunction whole house fan system ofclaim 9, wherein the fresh air controller and the thermostat controllerare included in a same control unit that is configured to control themultifunction whole house fan system.
 11. The multifunction whole housefan system of claim 10, wherein the fresh air controller comprises thethermostat controller.
 12. The multifunction whole house fan system ofclaim 8, wherein the fresh air controller is configured to adjust speedof the whole house fan based on the inside temperature value, the freshair controller configured to: compare the inside temperature value to afirst predetermined temperature, a second predetermined temperature, anda third predetermined temperature, wherein the first predeterminedtemperature is less than the second predetermined temperature, and thesecond predetermined temperature is less the third predeterminedtemperature; based on a comparison being that the inside temperaturevalue is between the first predetermined temperature and the secondpredetermined temperature, cause the whole house fan to operate at afirst speed; based on a comparison being that the inside temperaturevalue is between the second predetermined temperature and the thirdpredetermined temperature, cause the whole house fan to operate at asecond speed, the second speed being greater than the first speed; andbased on a comparison being that the inside temperature value is greaterthan the third predetermined temperature, cause the whole house fan tooperate at a third speed, the third speed being greater than the secondspeed.
 13. The multifunction whole house fan system of claim 12, whereinthe fresh air controller is configured, based on a comparison being thatthe inside temperature value is less than the first predeterminedtemperature, to: cause the whole house fan to suspend operation; andcause the motorized window to close to inhibit ambient air from enteringthe interior space.
 14. The multifunction whole house fan system ofclaim 8, wherein the fresh air controller is configured to receive dataassociated with an air quality index value corresponding to an airquality index of ambient air around the building structure, the freshair controller configured to: compare the air quality index value with apredetermined air quality index value; and based on a comparison beingthat the air quality index value is greater than the predetermined airquality index value, cause the whole house fan to suspend operation.